Mitchell Santner wouldn’t have been included in the mix if it weren’t for the current Test match between India and New Zealand at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. When he arrived, Santner, who did not make the starting lineup for the first Test, delivered an instant blow. First, he contributed some valuable runs to the New Zealand total with his 33-run knockdown sequence.
But his most important contribution was made during India’s first batsmanship. The Indian batting order was torn apart like a hot knife through butter by Santner’s left-arm spin. He took seven wickets in the first innings, much like Washington Sundar did. Santner’s performance with the ball was marginally better than Sundar’s, not to compare performances. This is mainly because he not only achieved a career-best 7/53 in 19.3 overs, but it also came against a very good team with hitters who countered spin with clever technique.
In red-ball cricket, he became just the fifth spinner in New Zealand cricket history to take five wickets against India.
Also Read: IND vs NZ 2024: Mitchell Santner’s seven-fer questions India’s preparing for home conditions
Daniel Vettori, a former Kiwi captain who made two appearances, was on the elusive roster. The two times he was given a five-for read figures were at Hyderabad in 2010 (5/135) and Kanpur in 1999 (6/127).
Best bowling figures for Kiwi spinners in India:
| Player | Figures | Venue | Year |
| Ajaz Patel | 47.5-12-119-10 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 2021 |
| Mitchell Santner | 19.3-1-53-7 | Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune | 2024 |
| John Bracewell | 17.4-3-51-6 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 1988 |
| Daniel Vettori | 55.1-11-127-6 | Green Park, Kanpur | 1999 |
| Hedley Howarth | 23-11-34-5 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur | 1969 |
| Daniel Vettori | 49.4-7-135-5 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 2010 |
What made Santner a success during India’s first innings was his ability to fly the ball up to the batters without being afraid of getting hit. It was one of the main reasons why he could extract the purchase he made from the surface.
India
