Mitchell Santner

Santner got his chance to represent New Zealand once Daniel Vettori decided to retire from the game. He is a like-for-like replacement of the veteran. Having played only 19 List A matches for Northern Districts, the selectors saw the potential in him and fast-tracked him to the national side. Santner was sent on the England tour to play a couple of practice games as some of the Kiwi players were absent due to their IPL commitments.

In only his first game on English soil, Santner impressed everyone, not with the ball, but with the bat. The youngster scored 27 and 94 in the two innings. He was part of the Test squad, but didn't get an opportunity. However, he made his way in the side during the ODI series. He played all 5 matches - picked up 7 wickets and scored 97 runs. Though New Zealand lost the series 3-2, Santner was one of the positives to have come out. He, along with Ish Sodhi, makes New Zealand a decent spin attack these days.

Since his debut, Santner has been an impressive prospect although the 2016-17 season has been a bit tough for the young man. Despite all the obvious talent, Santner has struggled to come to terms with what his stronger suit is. While some feel that he is a clever bowler who can bat a bit, it isn't wrong to call him a proper batsman considering this technique and temperament.

Santner's batting particularly dipped during the 2016-17 phase while his bowling hasn't been that effective either. Santner did start 2018 brightly though and the IPL selection by CSK boosted him further, only for an injury to rule him out for a major part of the year. Considered by many as the next Daniel Vettori, the legend himself has rated Santner highly and hopes that the all-rounder can end up as one of the country's finest cricketers.

Santner was a key player for New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup where they reached the final, as he kept things economical as the only frontline spinner of the side. In November 2020, Santner captained New Zealand for the first time in a bi-lateral series against West Indies. He was clinical for New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup as well, where they reached the final once again. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Santner became the first Kiwi spinner to register a five wicket haul at an ICC event. That was another world event where New Zealand reached the semis, and Santner proved to be a steady eddy for them once again.

In 2024, Santner was roped into the Test team for their away tour to India. He was sensational in that series, picking 13 wickets in the second Test match as New Zealand completed an unexpected 3-0 whitewash of India in India.

In December 2024, Santner was announced as the new ODI and T20I captain of New Zealand, with Kane Williamson stepping down. Under his captaincy, New Zealand won the Tri-Nations trophy against Pakistan and South Africa, and also reached the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

In the world of franchise cricket, after years of being an underused player at CSK, Santner this year will be plying his trade for a new franchise as he was picked by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan