In just three days, Mitchell Santner went from being an overlooked spinner to New Zealand’s national hero. His remarkable figures of 13 for 157 in Pune didn’t just make headlines; they rewrote history. This wasn’t just any win—this was the first time a New Zealand side had secured a Test series victory in India since 1955. And for Santner, who was initially seen as the third-choice spinner, this performance was the stuff of dreams.
Santner’s inclusion in the XI wasn’t even a sure thing. Michael Bracewell, the preferred off-spin allrounder, was ruled out, forcing the team to dig deeper into their reserves. Santner was that pick, a bowler with an average of 42.16 and a strike rate of 91.6 before this match—hardly numbers that would scare a batting lineup. But cricket’s funny like that, isn’t it? You never really know when an underdog will surprise everyone, a bit like playing slots games 1xbet where a sudden win can come out of nowhere.
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Battling Doubts and Challenges
To understand the magnitude of Santner’s achievement, consider this: before Pune, he had never taken more than three wickets in an innings. His best figures? 3/34 against South Africa. And yet here he was, ripping through India’s batting order on a pitch that offered spin but demanded precision. Adding to the drama, Santner bowled 29 overs in the second innings despite dealing with a side injury. He missed just one over from his end—a testament to his grit and sheer willpower.
Not known for big spin, Santner relied on subtlety. He varied his pace and used angles cleverly, foxing the Indian batters and forcing them into errors. Ian Smith, the former New Zealand wicketkeeper, summed it up perfectly on commentary: “Mitchell Santner has become New Zealand’s national hero in three days.”
A Historic Victory Unfolds
The second Test in Pune was pivotal not just for Santner but for New Zealand cricket as a whole. India, playing at home where they hadn’t lost a series since 2012-13, was a fortress. The New Zealanders bowled out India for 255 early in the match, giving themselves a fighting chance. India, though, didn’t back down easily. Yashasvi Jaiswal came out firing, smashing 77 off 65 balls and giving Indian fans a brief flicker of hope.
Despite the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma for eight, India surged to 81-1 at lunch, thanks to a rapid partnership between Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. But then came Santner. He took Gill’s wicket shortly after lunch, ending a promising 62-run stand. Jaiswal’s dismissal followed, caught at slip after he had looked set to push on. And the game swung firmly in New Zealand’s favor when Santner ran out Rishabh Pant for a duck and trapped Virat Kohli LBW soon after.
By then, Indian hopes had been all but extinguished. Glenn Phillips chipped in by removing Washington Sundar, but Santner was the story—his relentless spell breaking the back of India’s innings and their streak of dominance at home.
The Journey and the Turnaround
It’s not every day that a player goes from underdog to hero so dramatically. Before this Test, Santner was hardly considered a match-winner. He had faced criticism, with many doubting his effectiveness even at the first-class level. Santner’s performance is a reminder of that cricket is a game where fortunes change fast. Now the third-best by any visiting bowler in India is his 13-wicket haul—a fact that few would have bet on before the match.
Santner’s approach was simple yet effective. He used the crease well, varied his deliveries just enough, and made the most of Pune’s spin-friendly conditions. It wasn’t just the turn that did the trick; it was the precision and calm under pressure. You could almost sense the confidence growing each time he struck. “Every time you take wickets, you get a little more confident,” Santner said after the match. “I felt that today… Every time I got a wicket, it got a little better.”
A Moment for the Record Books
This win wasn’t just another victory—it was a landmark moment for New Zealand cricket. The last time they took a series in India, names like Bert Sutcliffe were still the talk of cricket, and most of today’s fans hadn’t even been born. Breaking that 70-year drought? It’s huge. For Santner, this performance isn’t just another stat; it’s career-defining.
More than a blip—it’s a wake-up call- this defeat for India. Their streak has been breached, and the upcoming series will test their resolve and ability to spring back under pressure. New Zealand, meanwhile, will ride this high with the confidence that they can master even the toughest conditions.
Santner’s story is all about resilience and grabbing your moment when it comes. Cricket’s full of surprises, and sometimes an unexpected hero steps up when you least expect it.