IND vs NZ: Can New Zealand stop Indian big hitters? Mitchell Santner reveals his plan

Abhishek Sharma and Mitchell Santner (Image credit: Agencies) New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits his side against India’s explosive top order. With the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson capable of dismantling bowling attacks right from the start, Santner knows the Black Caps will need more than discipline to keep the visitors in check.As New Zealand prepare for the five-match T20I series, the left-arm spinner hopes the early-season conditions will offer him some help, while stressing the need for his bowlers to adapt quickly and stay in the game even when the boundaries start moving.“They charge all the way and come out with a lot of aggression. As a bowler you know there won’t be too many dots. You have to plan accordingly, evaluate the conditions and use them to your advantage,” Santner said.The New Zealand captain acknowledged that boundaries will inevitably come up against such aggressive opposition, but stressed that the bowlers must focus on the deliveries in between.“Even if you get hit by a boundary, it’s about what happens with the balls in between. It could be wicket deliveries or dot. If we can restrict India to around 200 in New Zealand, it could be a good score considering the strength they have,” he added.The prospect of facing Abhishek, Ishan and Sanju prompted Santner to emphasize tactical flexibility, especially during the power play. An early season pitch in Christchurch could offer some movement.“If the ball moves, we have to use that to counter their explosive batting. But if the pitch is flat, then we may have to create pressure with bigger boundaries and looking for different ways to score,” he said.Santner admitted that the powerful nature of modern T20 cricket makes life difficult for bowlers and even 30-40 spells in a spell can represent a good performance.“If you can pick up two or three wickets in around 30 or even under 40 runs, you’re probably doing a very good job. Against someone like Abhishek or Ishan, you know they’re going to come hard from the first ball. You have to decide whether that means bowling yorkers, handballs or taking the ball from their arc,” he explained.Santner also acknowledged the threat posed by young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After seeing the teenager’s performances in the IPL, the New Zealand skipper expects India’s power-hitters to test his bowlers from the start.“I have seen what he can do in the IPL. Be it Sooryavanshi, Abhishek, Ishan or Sanju, India has power throughout the line-up. It will be a challenge to stop him.”Santner also acknowledged that India could arrive with a point to prove after New Zealand’s historic 3-0 Test series triumph on Indian soil and 2-1 victory in the ODI series.“You never like losing a series at home. The more you play in places like India, the better equipped you are to handle the conditions. India may have a lot to prove, but our job is to play what’s in front of us and beat a very good team at home,” he said.With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continuing to command huge attention in ODIs, Santner expects the tour to bring its share of excitement.“Rohit and Kohli may not be getting any younger but they are still churning out runs.(Watch New Zealand’s tour of India live and exclusively on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV from 22 October 2026).