Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Santner says New Zealand must contain India's top order
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner says his team must find a way to contain India's top order in the ODI series.
The opening match is at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where Santner expects Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to draw large crowds.
Both veterans scored centuries in India's recent ODI series against the West Indies, and Santner says they are still playing very well.
India also has Shubman Gill in strong form, while Kohli anchors the innings and Rohit attacks at the top.
Santner says New Zealand will need to bowl consistently and build pressure over time, rather than rely on one plan.
The series gives New Zealand an immediate test against an experienced India batting line-up, with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than a year away.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his team must build pressure to contain India’s top order in the ODI series.
Santner identified Rohit Sharma’s attacking approach, Virat Kohli’s role as an anchor and Shubman Gill’s form as challenges for New Zealand.
He said Kohli and Rohit were still performing very well and expected their presence to draw large crowds.
The first ODI is scheduled for Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Wednesday.
- Who
- New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and India’s top-order batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.
- What
- Santner said New Zealand would need to bowl consistently and build pressure to contain India’s top order in the ODI series.
- When
- Ahead of the first ODI, scheduled for Wednesday. The date is not stated.
- Where
- Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Why
- Santner said India’s top order can set up a strong score, and he highlighted the batters’ ability and form.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both scored centuries.
Santner discussed the challenge posed by India’s top order and the crowds expected for Rohit and Kohli.
The ODI series opener is scheduled to take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
- First ODI venue
- Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Series format
- Five-match ODI series
- Rohit Sharma's runs against West Indies
- 225 in three innings
- Virat Kohli's runs against West Indies
- 168 in three innings
- Kohli's highest score in the series
- 139 not out off 88 balls
3 sources
What people are saying
We know how good they are. I guess they’re getting on, but they’re still playing very well… I’ve seen it for a long time.
I guess we’ll try to stop them pretty early in every game, ideally,
Kohli is obviously an anchor for them.