1 week ago
7
ARTICLE AD BOX
Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand raises his bat after scoring a hundred during the 3rd ODI match between India and New Zealand at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, India, on January 18, 2026.
Daryl Mitchell spearheaded New Zealand’s campaign as they won their first-ever ODI series in India, and T20I skipper Mitchell Santner hopes the batter can do likewise in the five T20Is that begin on Wednesday.
The T20I series is expected to act as the final preparation for the World Cup in the shortest format that starts next month and Santner is banking on Mitchell to continue his run-scoring ways after getting two hundreds and an 80-odd in the three recent ODIs.
Mitchell’s 352 runs were key to an under-strength New Zealand side registering a 1-2 series victory, their first on these shores. Much of that was on the back of his improved ability against spin, which Santner wants him to replicate during the upcoming series and T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“I have played with Daryl for a long time. The first time he came over (to India), he struggled with spin, but he has worked incredibly hard on his game. Now we can see the fruits of his labour,” Santner told the media on the eve of the first T20I. “He has really taken on the responsibility in the ODIs, especially since Kane (Williamson) is not there. We hope he does the same in the T20s.”
Recent successes in India – before the ODI series, they inflicted the first-ever Test whitewash on the hosts in late 2024 – will give New Zealand confidence, Santner said. Also, several players in the squad are regulars in the Indian Premier League. There’s plenty of familiarity with the conditions they are expected to encounter.
“Apart from a couple of debutants, everybody in this team who has been here before, in any format, knows what to expect. The teams that understand conditions and the wickets always have the best chance to do well (while touring),” Santner said. “The amount of times we have been able to come and play in India has been good, and there have been some good recent results because of that. It was great what we did in the one-dayers, but this is a different format and (against) a different team as well.”
English (US) ·