India vs New Zealand First Test: 5 Talking Points

3.Mitchell Santner’s fighting effort

Mitchell Santner impressed one-and-all with his performance(Photo courtesy: BCCI)

On a pitch that had become a raging turner by the end of Day four, the New Zealand batsmen found the going tough against the duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. But one man stood out for his ability to remain patient and grind it out.

Playing his first Test on Indian soil, Mitchell Santner had shown earlier what he could do with the ball in hand, but it was with the willow in the second innings that he made everyone stand up and take note of him as a cricketer.

The left-hander made a superb 71, combating the spin of Ashwin and Jadeja with an assurance of a pro and putting the loose ball away as and when he found the chance, to all but guarantee himself a place in the starting XI for the Kolkata Test starting on Friday.

Santner’s lower-order batting will come as good news for Kane Williamson and his ability to hang around in the middle will be an even bigger plus point for the Blackcaps.