New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has backed senior middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell to carry his exceptional ODI form into the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, starting Wednesday in Nagpur. Mitchell was pivotal in New Zealand’s historic 2-1 ODI series win in India, scoring 84, 131*, and 137, showcasing his skill against quality spin and his reliability under pressure.
Santner highlighted that Mitchell’s ability to control the game in the middle overs and adapt to Indian conditions makes him key for New Zealand’s T20I plans. The series also serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. New Zealand enter the series with confidence after recent successes in ODIs and Tests against India, aiming to gain both momentum and valuable experience against a strong spin-heavy lineup.
