15 October,2026 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Karan Shankar
Sanju Samson. Pic/PTI; (right) Abhishek Sharma. Pic/BCCI
New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner believes having specific plans and making the most of home conditions will be key to containing India's explosive top order in the Powerplay during the five-match T20I series beginning in Christchurch on October 22.
India boast a formidable top order comprising Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and, occasionally, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, all known for their aggressive approach from the outset.
Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Santner, 34, said the Kiwis would look to exploit the conditions at home to gain an edge.
"Traditionally, it can do a little bit in Christchurch. The weather's been really hot, so whether that happens or not, we'll see. But trying to combat the Powerplay, especially in T20 cricket, is a challenge. We've seen how good India are at the top of the order, with Abhishek getting their team off to a flyer, and Samson too.
"If it does do a little bit, it's about trying to combat the explosive nature of their batters with some plans and some movement off the pitch. But if it is flat, then what does Plan B look like? Trying to get wickets through a bit of pressure and using potentially a bigger boundary against a very good team," Santner said during a virtual interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Wednesday. Santner, who has claimed 142 wickets in 138 T20Is, also stressed the importance of accepting that boundaries are inevitable against such an aggressive batting line-up and focusing on creating wicket-taking opportunities.
"They [India] pack power all the way through, so they do come out with a lot of aggression. As a bowler, it's about knowing that there aren't going to be many dot balls. On the flip side, because they go so hard, you are going to be hit for fours and sixes, but it's about the balls in between. Whether those can be wicket-taking balls or dots, it's about trying to use the ground to our advantage.
"I think we've seen, even in the recent series against the West Indies, that totals like 250 or 240 are not necessarily safe. So, even if you can restrict a team like India, with such power, to 200, that might be a good score in New Zealand," added Santner.
