Mitchell Santner on India’s ODI Masters Ahead of New Zealand Tour

Mitchell Santner knows exactly what is coming over the horizon: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, back in their favourite format, on pitches where they’ve feasted before.

Later this year, India’s two ODI giants return to New Zealand for a marathon tour – five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests across October and November – and the Blackcaps captain is under no illusions about the scale of the assignment.

“It is going to be a challenge. They are still very good players as we have seen for a long time; masters of the ODI game,” Santner told PTI, noting how comfortable India’s senior batters have looked in these conditions in the past. “They have taken a liking to some New Zealand pitches in the past. Hopefully, not this time around.”

Kohli and Rohit now operate as ODI specialists. That sharpens the edge. Every 50-over outing in New Zealand becomes part of a clear build-up to next year’s World Cup, with both sides trying to lock in combinations before October.

“It is going to be a great series, no doubt,” Santner said. “It is all a lead-up for the World Cup next year in ODIs. Everyone is trying to figure out their best team; what that might look like for October next year with limited games.”

Beating India at home the first target

Before anyone talks about World Cup permutations, Santner has a simpler, more immediate ambition: beat India in New Zealand.

“We've got five (matches) against India, three against Sri Lanka at home and then it is World Cup prep in England (in September 2027), right before the World Cup,” he said, sketching out a long-range calendar.

The priority, though, is clear.

“(But) first things first, you want to win a series against India at home, which would be an awesome thing. Then it is (about) trying to find what the make-up might look like come October next year.”

The ODI leg of India’s tour underlines the scale of that task: Eden Park, Sky Stadium, Seddon Park, Bay Oval – grounds where white-ball games can flip in an over and where India’s batting depth has often flourished.

A historic 3-0 and a new-look India

New Zealand’s recent Test history against India carries a very different flavour. The last time the two sides met in a Test series, in India, the visitors pulled off a stunning 3-0 clean sweep, snapping India’s unbeaten home run that had stretched for more than 12 years and 18 series.

Santner was at the heart of that triumph, taking 7/53 and 6/104 in the second Test in Pune to help seal the series. That experience shapes how he views the two-Test contest looming in New Zealand.

“I think what we spoke about before is trying to adapt quickly,” he said, recalling that tour.

This time, it is India who will be dealing with unfamiliarity. A changing Test side, with some players likely to experience red-ball cricket in New Zealand for the first time, will walk into conditions that rarely forgive slow learners.

“For a new-look India side, it is probably going to be the first time some players have been playing red-ball (cricket) in New Zealand, where the pitches will be a little bit foreign. They will probably do a bit more than they might do back home.”

Green pitches, heavy cloud, a Dukes ball that won’t stop talking – the script is familiar in New Zealand. The question is how quickly India’s next generation can read it.

‘Very well-rounded’ India pose serious threat

For all the talk of adaptation, Santner is not underestimating what is coming. He sees an India Test squad that covers bases across conditions.

“If you look at their squad, it is a very well-rounded squad,” he said. “You throw (Jasprit) Bumrah back into the bowling attack, you have got (Mohammed) Siraj, (Prasidh) Krishna with the bounce. You have got (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Manav) Suthar to bowl spin. You have got probably a fourth seamer in there as well.”

That blend of high-class pace and versatile spin, with enough depth to field a fourth quick, makes India dangerous even in New Zealand’s seam-friendly window.

“It is shaping up nicely. I think it is going to be a great series. Traditionally, it can do a little bit in New Zealand at that time of the year,” Santner said.

If the ball moves and India still compete, the margin for error for the hosts shrinks even further.

Fighting fire with fire in New Zealand

Santner expects the Test series to demand tactical courage as much as technical skill. Conservatism alone will not survive five days in New Zealand’s conditions.

“It could be trying to fight fire with fire, playing your shots,” he explained, outlining how batters might need to take the game on when the ball is in their zone.

At the same time, survival skills remain non-negotiable.

“There might be times we need to sit back and let the bowlers go for a bit, try to get the shine off the ball. There is a lot that can go on in the Test matches in New Zealand.”

That ebb and flow – attack when you can, absorb when you must – is what Santner believes will define the contest. One mistimed hook, one misjudged leave, and the series can tilt.

“It is going to be an exciting series and one that we can't wait for.”

Why only two Tests?

For a clash between two heavyweight Test nations, a two-match series feels thin. Santner did not dodge the question.

“For a long time, New Zealand played two-match series. There’s obviously the money side of it as well,” he said.

The reality is stark. Long-format cricket costs more and draws less in New Zealand than the white-ball game.

“I know it costs a lot to play Test cricket. (It is about) timing as well; white-ball brings in the crowds in New Zealand, it brings the money. That's why I guess it is the 10-2 split.”

Ten limited-overs fixtures. Two Tests. A commercial equation, not a cricketing ideal.

Yet the significance of those two matches is not lost on Santner.

“Whenever India come, even if it is only two Test matches, it is going to be exciting. Everyone wants to challenge themselves against the best in the world and they are up there. For us, it is going to be an important series like it is for India with the (World Test Championship) points that are on offer.”

Kohli and Rohit sharpening for one last World Cup tilt, a remodelled India Test side walking into foreign conditions, a New Zealand team desperate to assert itself at home, and WTC points on the line.

Two Tests. No room for a slow start.