Santner says New Zealand executed bowling plans well to beat India

Auckland: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner reflected on his team’s performance in the fourth T20I against India at Eden Park in Auckland, crediting both the batters and the bowlers for a complete performance that helped the hosts defeat India for the first time in the series.

Having lost the first three matches of the five-match series, New Zealand went hammer and tongs once again, smashing 269/7 — their highest T20I total and their highest score against India in the format.

The chief destroyers with the bat were centurion Glenn Phillips and half-centurion Michael Bracewell, who put together a 115-run partnership off 40 balls for the fifth wicket. The bowlers followed up with an impressive performance, with Jacob Duffy claiming a four-wicket haul to restrict India to 172/9 and seal a massive 87-run win for the Black Caps.

Speaking after the match, Santner praised the batters and bowlers for their strong performances. He acknowledged that although 260 was a good total, New Zealand still needed to bowl well against India’s formidable batting line-up, particularly after the visitors had chased down 226 in the first T20I.

“Yeah, obviously, another lost toss, but I think with the wind, it didn’t dew up as much tonight. Obviously, 260 is a good score, but you have to bowl well against these guys, and I think we did,” Santner said during the post-match presentation.

Phillips scored 107 off 49 balls, while Bracewell smashed 65 off 25 deliveries. Their partnership in the middle overs proved to be the difference. The skipper highlighted how the batters went hammer and tongs.

“Yeah, I think we summed up the pitch. We saw a couple fly through at the start, and then you stick to those lengths. The boys bashed away nicely, and we were able to take wickets at the start, which is obviously a massive thing in the powerplays.

“But I think our lengths, our lines were really good tonight, and there’s obviously a little bit in the wicket. That’s kind of what we wanted for most of the games. So, I think when we get it right on a wicket that bounces nicely, it’s going good,” he added.

The all-rounder reserved special praise for Bracewell, saying his contribution helped New Zealand push the total beyond India’s reach.

“Yeah, the way he came out from the start, obviously, we were in a pretty good position, but from ball one to keep going, and that pushes that score from a 220, which is still a good score, to 260, obviously with Glenn going as well. But yeah, it’s nice to see Beast (Bracewell) get some runs because he’s been striking in the nets,” Santner said.

Eden Park is a challenging venue for bowlers, with its straight boundaries being relatively short. Santner was particularly pleased with his team’s bowling performance, which restricted India to 172/9.

“Yeah, pretty happy. It’s a tough ground. We’ve made them take some tough options down the ground off heavy lengths, and a couple went up, which was nice, and then a couple of dropped catches again, but it’s tight in there, swirling.

“Mine wasn’t too hard. But yeah, very happy. And I think we were able to change it up. Obviously, mixed it up in the powerplay, and guys coming in one-over spells. But being on the money straightaway and then Duff obviously nailing hard length again too to start is a great start,” he said.