Santner laments missed chances after India clinch 3-2 T20I series in Hamilton
On Sunday in Hamilton, India sealed the five-match T20I series 3-2 by defeating New Zealand by seven wickets, and New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his side could have produced a different outcome had they taken early opportunities.
New Zealand dropped the opening two fixtures in Christchurch by narrow margins before winning the next two matches to force a decider in Hamilton. The report also records that Tim Seifert scored 93, which the coverage says helped the hosts sign off with a seven-wicket victory in the final game.
Reflecting on the series, Santner conceded the initial losses would leave the team with questions and that fine margins decided several moments. "It was a very tight series against a very good team. Those small moments in the first couple of games, where we probably could have won those games or should have, meant the series could have looked a lot different. Obviously, the scoreline shows 3-2 to India, but it could have been the other way around," Santner said after the match.
Santner also praised his squad’s response after the early setbacks, singling out the batting for regularly posting competitive totals and the bowling for adapting tactics as the series progressed. He highlighted that the seamers altered their plans during the contest to try to stifle India’s scoring.
India’s middle order proved dangerous in the final match, with Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan combining for 107 runs in a little over seven overs and placing New Zealand under pressure. The Kiwi bowlers fought back, with Adam Milne finishing the game with figures of 4/19.
On the tactical adjustments, Santner said: "We mixed it up really nicely. Shreyas and Kishan put their foot on the gas, and the seamers kind of mixed it up. Yorkers, wide, a little bit straight with length. It was good learning for us," he said.
Santner pointed to depth in the bowling ranks as a positive, noting injuries to Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry had required the team to try other options; Matthew Fisher returned three wickets across two appearances. "I think we're in a great spot in terms of depth at the moment. With the schedule, there's been a lot more rotation than probably would be, but it gives guys opportunities. Some fringe guys who don't potentially play a lot are showing that they can step up straight away," he said.
The captain also commended Glenn Phillips for his contributions with the bat, including an unbeaten 65 in the final T20I, and for his ability to take time before accelerating. With the next T20 World Cup in this part of the world still some time away, Santner said the matches provided useful lessons; India leave having won the series, while New Zealand will be left thinking about those early opportunities they couldn't quite convert.
