India win the series, it could have been the other way around: Santner rues missed chances

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner believes his team could have had a very different series against India if they had taken their chances better in the opening two matches. India finally sealed the five-match T20I series 3-2 with a seven-wicket defeat of the hosts in the final match in Hamilton on Sunday. But Santner felt the result did not tell the whole story.

New Zealand lost the first two matches in Christchurch by narrow margins before coming back to win the next two. That left the series hanging in the balance heading into the final T20I, where Tim Seifert’s 93 helped the hosts seal a seven-wicket victory.

NZ vs IND, 5th T20I: Highlighting | Scorecard

Looking back on the contest, Santner admitted those early defeats would have given his team plenty to think about.

“It was a very close series against a very good team. Those little moments in the first two games when we probably could have won or should have won those games meant that the series could have been a lot different. Obviously the score is 3-2 to India but it could have been the other way around,” Santner said after the match.

Despite missing the series, the New Zealand captain was happy with how his team responded. He was particularly pleased with the batting, which consistently put up competitive totals, and the bowling unit’s ability to adjust its plans throughout the series.

India’s middle order gave New Zealand plenty of trouble in the final. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan added 107 runs in just over seven overs to put the home team under pressure. However, the Kiwi bowlers managed to pull things back and Adam Milne finished with figures of 4/19.

Santner felt that the bowlers have learned to change their approach, use yorkers and line changes to make life difficult for the Indian batsmen.

“We mixed it up nicely. Shreyas and Kishan put their foot on the gas and the seamers kind of mixed it up. Yorkers, wide, a bit straight with a length. It was a good learning for us,” he said.

DEPTH POSITIVE

In addition to the results, there were also positives. Santner was encouraged by the depth of New Zealand’s bowling attack, especially after injuries to Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry forced the team to explore other options.

Matthew Fisher made the most of his opportunities, conceding three goals in two games. With the schedule allowing for rotations, Santner believes New Zealand have several players capable of starting when called upon.

“I think we’re in a great place right now in terms of depth. There’s been a lot more rotation with the roster than there probably would have been, but it gives guys opportunities. Some guys on the fringes who potentially don’t play a lot are showing they can step in right away,” he said.

The New Zealand captain also had a lot of praise for Glenn Phillips, who has performed consistently throughout the series. Phillips played an important role in giving the hosts a strong batting position, including an unbeaten 65 in the final T20I.

Santner highlighted his ability to bide his time at the crease before shifting against quality bowling attacks.

New Zealand may have ended up on the losing side of the series, but Santner believes the team has a long way to go. With some time still to go before the next T20 World Cup in this part of the world, these games offered some useful lessons.

Meanwhile, India will walk away with a series win. New Zealand will have to reflect on the early opportunities they failed to quite convert.

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