New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner believes his team could have taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against India, but dropped catches and fielding errors proved costly in their four-wicket defeat in Christchurch on Saturday.
India chased down 181 with one ball remaining after slipping to 70/5. Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51, while Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 26 not out as the pair added an unbroken 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Santner, who claimed impressive figures of 4/21, said the contests between the teams had been closely fought, with small moments determining the outcomes.
He also defended New Zealand’s total of 180/5, praising Glenn Phillips’ 70 and Bevon Jacobs’ 58, who shared a 116-run partnership. The New Zealand skipper credited the pitch for offering spinners greater grip and acknowledged that dew could influence decisions at the toss throughout the series.
Santner also praised India’s finishing ability and expressed concern over injuries to pacers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, who left the field during the match. New Zealand will look to bounce back in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday.