“Tough To Beat India”: Mitchell Santner Reflects After New Zealand Lose T20I Series 4-1

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted that India proved extremely difficult to beat on home soil after the visitors lost the fifth and final T20 International and the five-match series 4-1 in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Santner said the series offered valuable lessons for his side ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Santner acknowledged the challenge posed by India’s strong batting lineup and home conditions. “We learnt a lot of stuff. Tough to beat India on their home turf. When you’re challenged a lot, it’s a good thing. Results haven’t gone our way, have learned. It’s not easy to bowl against good batting units,” Santner said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

India once again showcased their batting firepower in the final T20I after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Early setbacks saw Sanju Samson depart cheaply, followed soon by Abhishek Sharma, who scored a brisk 30 off 16 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, leaving India at 48 for two. What followed was a match-defining 137-run partnership between Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav that took the game away from New Zealand. Kishan produced a sensational innings of 103 off 43 balls, striking six fours and 10 sixes, while Suryakumar contributed a fluent 63 off 30 deliveries, including four boundaries and six sixes. A late cameo from Hardik Pandya, who smashed 42 off just 17 balls with a four and four sixes, powered India to a massive total of 271 for five in 20 overs.

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Lockie Ferguson emerging as the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 41. Jacob Duffy picked up one wicket but conceded 53 runs, Kyle Jamieson finished with 1 for 59, while Santner himself returned figures of 1 for 60 on a difficult night for the attack.

Chasing an imposing target, New Zealand lost Tim Seifert early, but a counter-attacking partnership between Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra briefly kept the contest alive. Allen played an aggressive knock of 80 off 38 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes, while Ravindra added 30 off 17 balls with two fours and two sixes. However, India’s bowlers regained control through a devastating spell from Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel. Arshdeep claimed a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 51, while Axar supported him with 3 for 33, as New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 225 after being reduced to 191 for nine at one stage.

After the match, Arshdeep spoke about the mindset within the Indian camp while defending the big total. “Great learning for me to stay in the game. That was the message from the coaching staff. It’s just for the camera, I look calm. Lately, I’ve been going for runs consistently. I’m trying to stay in the game with Morne Morkel’s help. I enjoyed some of the shots Finn played, but I could’ve planned better. They were always going to come hard,” Arshdeep said.

He also revealed what captain Suryakumar Yadav told the team during a crucial huddle. “The talk was about body language, giving it our all, and giving it our best shot to keep them under 180. Happy with individual performances, but the perfect team game hasn’t come. Hope that comes in the World Cup,” Arshdeep added.