Matt Santner willing to wait for Indian batsmen to err on home turf

Mitchell Santner will be one of the key players for skipper Kane Williamson in New Zealand's pursuit to win their maiden ODI series in India. Santner, 24, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has exhibited his potential when he first came with the national team to India for the World T20 last year. His 4-11 in four overs left India, one of the better teams of spin bowling in the world, stunned in their opening encounter. He ended up being the third highest wicket-taker of the World T20 with 10 wickets in five matches.

Mitchell Santner

When Santner came over for the bilateral series in India, he claimed 10 wickets in three Tests and four wickets in the five-ODI series. With his spin partner Ish Sodhi not included in the NZ ODI squad, Santner will have extra responsibility to deliver efficiently. He is relying on his past experience of bowling in India to succeed this time as well. "We haven't been here for a while. But for me, it's about taking those past experiences of the way I bowled and how to bowl spin over here. I'll be looking to do that (again)," Santner told reporters yesterday. Santner has taken a cue from Indian spinners Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja Jadeja as well. "It's about tying a batsman up and waiting for them to make a mistake, especially on wickets that offer a little bit. I watched a lot of Axar and Jadeja. They just try to bowl very consistent, in good areas and wait for the batsmen to hit a big shot and get out. I have taken a little bit of footage from there," he said.