Mitchell Santner scripts history, becomes first spinner with multiple four-wicket hauls against India
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newspoint|24-10-2026
Mitchell Santner unleashed a spin masterclass against India in the second T20I in Christchurch on Saturday, dismantling the visitors' middle order with a sensational four-wicket haul. Although his effort ultimately went in vain as India pulled off a stunning four-wicket victory, the New Zealand captain etched his name into the record books against the three-time T20 World Cup champions.
Santner tears through India's middle order
Defending New Zealand's total of 180/5, Santner turned the contest on its head after India's chase had begun to lose momentum. The left-arm spinner removed Abhishek Sharma for 27, with Nathan Smith taking a catch at deep midwicket, before producing a decisive spell that left the Indian batting line-up scrambling.
Santner then bowled India captain Shreyas Iyer for seven, deceiving him with drift and flight as the batter attempted to slog across the line. He followed it up by dismissing Axar Patel for 11, with Daryl Mitchell completing an excellent relay catch near the boundary after Finn Allen intervened.
The New Zealand skipper saved his best for Naman Dhir, who had briefly revived India's hopes with an aggressive 31 off 17 balls. Santner tempted Dhir with a flighted delivery outside off, and the batter's attempted inside-out loft ended in the hands of Glenn Phillips at extra cover.
Dhir's dismissal in the 15th over left India reeling at 112/6, with the required rate climbing and New Zealand seemingly in control of the contest. Santner's figures of 4/21 reflected not just his ability to take wickets but also his knack for forcing batters into risky strokes under pressure.
Unique record against India
Santner returned figures of 4/21 in his four overs, becoming the first bowler to register multiple four-wicket hauls against India in men's T20Is. His latest effort came nearly a decade after his previous four-wicket haul against India , when he returned career-best figures of 4/11 in Nagpur during the 2016 T20 World Cup.
On that occasion, Santner played a pivotal role in New Zealand's famous 47-run victory after the Black Caps posted 126/7 and bowled India out for 79.
Four-wicket hauls by spinners against India in T20Is
Tilak-Nitish counterattack spoils Santner's show
Despite Santner's remarkable spell, New Zealand could not close out the game. India were in serious trouble at 112/6 in the 15th over, but Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a stunning counterattack to take the visitors home.
Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish struck an unbeaten 26 off just 13 deliveries. Their unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 69 runs off 30 balls transformed the contest, helping India chase down the target of 181 in 19.5 overs.
The four-wicket victory gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and ensured Santner's outstanding individual performance ended on the losing side.
Santner tears through India's middle order
Defending New Zealand's total of 180/5, Santner turned the contest on its head after India's chase had begun to lose momentum. The left-arm spinner removed Abhishek Sharma for 27, with Nathan Smith taking a catch at deep midwicket, before producing a decisive spell that left the Indian batting line-up scrambling.
Santner then bowled India captain Shreyas Iyer for seven, deceiving him with drift and flight as the batter attempted to slog across the line. He followed it up by dismissing Axar Patel for 11, with Daryl Mitchell completing an excellent relay catch near the boundary after Finn Allen intervened.
The New Zealand skipper saved his best for Naman Dhir, who had briefly revived India's hopes with an aggressive 31 off 17 balls. Santner tempted Dhir with a flighted delivery outside off, and the batter's attempted inside-out loft ended in the hands of Glenn Phillips at extra cover.
Dhir's dismissal in the 15th over left India reeling at 112/6, with the required rate climbing and New Zealand seemingly in control of the contest. Santner's figures of 4/21 reflected not just his ability to take wickets but also his knack for forcing batters into risky strokes under pressure.
Unique record against India
Santner returned figures of 4/21 in his four overs, becoming the first bowler to register multiple four-wicket hauls against India in men's T20Is. His latest effort came nearly a decade after his previous four-wicket haul against India , when he returned career-best figures of 4/11 in Nagpur during the 2016 T20 World Cup.
On that occasion, Santner played a pivotal role in New Zealand's famous 47-run victory after the Black Caps posted 126/7 and bowled India out for 79.
Four-wicket hauls by spinners against India in T20Is
- 4/9 — Wanindu Hasaranga, Colombo (RPS), 2021
- 4/11 — Mitchell Santner, Nagpur, 2016
- 4/20 — Daniel Vettori, Johannesburg, 2007
- 4/20 — Gerhard Erasmus, Delhi, 2026
- 4/21 — Mitchell Santner, Christchurch, 2026
Tilak-Nitish counterattack spoils Santner's show
Despite Santner's remarkable spell, New Zealand could not close out the game. India were in serious trouble at 112/6 in the 15th over, but Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a stunning counterattack to take the visitors home.
Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish struck an unbeaten 26 off just 13 deliveries. Their unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 69 runs off 30 balls transformed the contest, helping India chase down the target of 181 in 19.5 overs.
The four-wicket victory gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and ensured Santner's outstanding individual performance ended on the losing side.
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