NZ Captain Santner Backs Team's Fight in India T20 Series

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner backed his team's effort in a tightly contested T20 series against India, even though the visitors ended up on the losing side of a 3-2 scoreline.

New Zealand's seven-wicket win in the fifth match showed the team's competitive spirit. However, India clinched the series, leaving Santner to reflect on what might have been.

He said the team had let slip a few key moments during the early games. In his view, those were situations where New Zealand could have won or should have won. Had the side taken those opportunities, the final result could have gone the other way.

Santner was clear that there was much to be pleased about. He praised the batting unit and said the bowlers had adapted well in recent matches, giving the team plenty to build on.

He elaborated on the bowling strategy, saying the fast bowlers used a range of deliveries, including yorkers, wides and changes of length. A good start with the new ball was also important, though India's Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan scored quickly.

Santner concluded that the series was a valuable learning experience. With the World Cup still a few years away, he said these matches at this stage of the year had given the team a great deal to learn from.