New Zealand let key moments slip in India series, says Santner

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his team let crucial opportunities slip during the white-ball series against India. Despite losing the ODI and T20I contests, he felt the matches were closely fought and could have produced different results

Mount Maunganui: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner on Sunday said his team had let several opportunities slip in a closely fought white-ball series against India, insisting that the 1-3 ODI defeat did not reflect the competitive nature of the contest.

India clinched the five-match ODI series with a 22-run win in the final match, having also won the T20I series.

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Santner felt New Zealand could have turned the contest around at crucial moments, including in the final ODI, where they failed to chase down a target of 210.

“It’s easy to look at the scoreline and obviously it’s a lost series. It was a very close series that could have gone either way. We probably should have got more than 130-odd in Wellington and maybe defended that. And then again, probably should have chased that down here,” Santner said.

He also pointed to missed opportunities in the T20I series, saying New Zealand could have won the five-match contest 3-2 instead of losing it.

Santner praised the bowling units of both teams for adapting to challenging batting conditions through the effective use of short-pitched deliveries.

“I think 200 on most grounds might have been a good score. It was a very, very close series and the bowling groups in both camps did really well. Great use of the short ball throughout the series. India did that very well today,” he said.

Santner also credited India captain Shreyas Iyer for his bowling changes, including his decision to rely on the seamers when New Zealand were looking to accelerate.

“Shreyas was great with juggling his bowlers. He obviously held off Axar knowing that seam was the threat. They brought back the strike bowlers to get wickets. If we got through that phase, we could have taken it a little bit deeper and got across the line,” he said.

Asked about New Zealand’s injury concerns and the absence of key fast bowlers, including Matt Henry and Kyle, Santner said the demanding schedule had necessitated rotation but had also provided opportunities to test the team’s bowling depth ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

“It’s been a bit of a juggling act with our seamers, but with the schedule, the quick turnarounds and late finishes leading into a Test series, it’s always going to be a challenge to play all those guys every game. It gives guys opportunities, which is nice leading into a World Cup year. You want to see the depth in our bowling stocks,” he said.

Santner said Indian supporters had created a lively atmosphere throughout the series, even though New Zealand often felt they were playing away from home. He also confirmed that he would undergo a scan on Sunday morning after picking up an injury, without elaborating on its nature.

“Plenty of good to come out of the series,” he said, adding that the team now needed to shift its focus quickly to the upcoming Test assignment.