Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner believes his side could have had a very different series against India had they made better use of their chances in the opening two matches. India eventually sealed the five-match T20I series 3-2 with a seven-wicket defeat of the hosts in the final game in Hamilton on Sunday. But Santner felt the result didn’t tell the whole story.
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New Zealand lost the first two matches in Christchurch by narrow margins before bouncing 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 sign off with a seven-wicket victory.
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Looking back at the contest, Santner admitted that those early defeats would leave his team with plenty to think about.
“It was a very tight series against a very good team. Those small moments in the first couple of games, where we probably could have won those games or should have, meant the series could have looked a lot different. Obviously, the scoreline shows 3-2 to India, but it could have been the other way around,” Santner said after the match.
Despite missing out on the series, the New Zealand skipper was pleased with how his team responded. He was particularly happy with the batting, which consistently put up competitive totals, and the bowling unit’s ability to adjust its plans as the series progressed.
India’s middle order had caused New Zealand plenty of problems in the final game. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan added 107 runs in little over seven overs, putting the hosts under pressure. However, the Kiwi bowlers managed to pull things back, with Adam Milne finishing with figures of 4/19.
Santner felt the bowlers had learned to vary their approach, using yorkers and changes in line to make life harder for the Indian batters.
“We mixed it up really nicely. Shreyas and Kishan put their foot on the gas, and the seamers kind of mixed it up. Yorkers, wide, a little bit straight with length. It was good learning for us,” he said.
DEPTH A POSITIVE
There were positives beyond the results. Santner was encouraged by the depth in 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, picking up three wickets across two appearances. With the schedule allowing room for rotation, Santner believes New Zealand have several players capable of stepping up when called upon.
“I think we’re in a great spot in terms of depth at the moment. With the schedule, there’s been a lot more rotation than probably would be, but it gives guys opportunities. Some fringe guys who don’t potentially play a lot are showing that they can step up straight away,” he said.
The New Zealand captain also had plenty of praise for Glenn Phillips, who delivered consistent performances throughout the series. Phillips played an important role in giving the hosts strong positions with the bat, including an unbeaten 65 in the final T20I.
Santner highlighted his ability to take time at the crease before shifting gears against quality bowling attacks.
New Zealand may have finished on the losing side of the series, but Santner believes the team has plenty to take forward. With the next T20 World Cup in this part of the world still some time away, these games have offered useful lessons.
India, meanwhile, leave with the series win. New Zealand will be left thinking about those early opportunities they couldn’t quite convert.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
