Mitchell Santner says extras hurt New Zealand in four-wicket loss to India

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said conceding too many extras early hurt his side in the four-wicket loss to India in the first T20I. He also pointed to missed chances after India chased 226 with two balls to spare

Christchurch: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted that his bowlers’ wayward start with the new ball, including conceding too many extras, proved costly as India chased down 226 to win the first T20I by four wickets at Hagley Oval here on Thursday.

India raced to 94/1 in the powerplay, helped by a string of wides from the New Zealand pacers. Although the hosts fought back through the middle overs, Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 42 off 15 balls sealed the chase with two balls to spare, as New Zealand conceded 17 extras in all.

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“They put us under pressure. We knew they were going to do that, and another big powerplay from them. We weren’t probably at our best. We can sharpen up a few things, but I think we know what the ball does, so you can slow them down.

“I think in the middle we did well to kind of squeeze them and then again it was a tight game. So I think both teams could probably look at a few things here and there; I think it could have gone either way,” Santner said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Asked where New Zealand could improve, Santner pointed to the extras and a few missed chances in the field.

“I think the extras at the start maybe, and obviously I think in the field we were pretty good. It’s not an easy ground to catch here.

“A couple more chances, closing overs at times, but I think the powerplay is always going to be a challenge. I guess we have to find a way of trying to slow them down, but that might be an 80-run powerplay, not a 100.”

The two teams will meet again at the same venue in the second T20I on Saturday. Santner, who landed awkwardly on his head while attempting a catch in the 13th over and briefly left the field, said he was fine.

“A bit of a whiplash there, but yeah, it’s okay,” he said.

Santner was also pleased with how his batters had performed after being sent in to bat and praised Glenn Phillips, who made an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls, and Bevon Jacobs, who struck 31 off 16 balls.

“I think the way the guys went out about it at the top was good. Obviously there was probably a little bit in it at the start, and they adapted and adjusted, and then obviously the way GP kind of consolidated in the middle there, he was outstanding. And Bev, some clean striking as well. So we were reasonably happy with the score at half-time.”