New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has come to India for a 5-match T20I series against the Men in Blue before heading to the ICC T20 World Cup, which the Blackcaps have never won. Santner will be captaining in his first World Cup and the captain has described the India series as a challenge for his preparations ahead of the World Cup.
India lost the New Zealand series by a margin of 2–1, which was New Zealand’s first win in an ODI bilateral series. This is a big blow to India’s campaign and the future of many Indian cricketers who mostly play the 50-over format.
The Men in Blue and the Blackcaps will be part of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and have scheduled a 5-match series in the shortest format of the game, starting on January 21 and ending a week before the ICC tournament.
“I don’t think it will give us an edge in the T20I series – New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner
New Zealand’s full-time captain Mitchell Santner returned with the T20I leg of the series after opting out of the ODI series. He was playing in the Super Smash in the country when Michael Bracewell led the Kiwis to their first win.
Upon his return, Santner praised the New Zealand team for its recent success; However, he feels this will not give the Kiwis any advantage compared to the T20 World Champions in the shortest format of the game.
Mitchell Santner said, “We have had some successes against India in different formats recently. But I don’t think that will give us an edge in the T20 series. India is a great team and this is great preparation for us ahead of the World Cup.”
We have had some recent successes against India in different formats. But I don’t think this will give us an edge in the T20 series. India is a great team and it is great preparation for us before the World Cup: Mitchell Santner pic.twitter.com/KqAnS1ECa7
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 20 January 2026
Mitchell Santner reflects on a focused mindset ahead of the T20 World Cup
The T20I series marks the return of many Kiwi players who could not be a part of the ODI series. Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Tim Robinson and other players will return along with captain Santner.
Santner, who previously led New Zealand to the ICC Champions Trophy final, will be aiming to win the T20 World Cup. The Kiwis had made an early exit from the T20 World Cup last time after losing two group stage matches to West Indies and Afghanistan.
Santner has said that focus is very important for good results in the World Cup. He is not busy celebrating the ODI series win but has instead focused on the new challenges that will come with a different side and a different format.
The result was good in the ODI series. But T20I is a different series against a different team: Santner
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 20 January 2026
“Daryl Mitchell is getting the fruits of his labor” – Mitchell Santner
New Zealand right-handed batsman Daryl Mitchell has been one of the best Blackcaps batsmen in limited overs cricket. He has had special numbers while playing in India, which gives him an edge for the T20 World Cup.
Mitchell came to India after scoring a few runs in two white-ball series against the West Indies at home and the England series before that. He then scored 350+ runs in the ODI series against India at an average of over 175, including two centuries to his name.
Mitchell Santner praises his contribution to New Zealand’s success in limited overs cricket, especially in the ODI format, and claims he is reaping the rewards of his hard work.
Daryl Mitchell is getting the fruits of his hard work: Santner
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 20 January 2026
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