‘They have got all bases covered’ – Mitchell Santner wary of India’s strong lineup ahead of New Zealand Tests

New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner has said India possess the firepower and variety to succeed in the upcoming two-Test series, which is scheduled as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The first Test is set for November 19-23 in Wellington, with the second running from November 27 to December 1 in Christchurch.

Santner acknowledged that adapting to early-season New Zealand conditions will be the primary challenge for the touring side.

Early-season pitches in New Zealand, particularly in October and November, tend to behave differently from those encountered in February and March, with the ball expected to move around considerably more. Santner noted that some members of India’s squad have toured New Zealand before and performed well in those conditions.

“I think it has always been a challenge. They always play the best teams, and then having to adapt to the conditions quickly is the main thing. But they have got all bases covered. A few players have been there before and done well. In October-November, the pitches can play differently compared to February-March. The first thing is to try and understand the conditions as quickly as possible,” Santner told TOI.

Why does Santner rate India’s pace attack for New Zealand?

New Zealand conditions in November are expected to assist seam and swing bowling, making the quality of a touring pace attack a key factor. Santner specifically identified India’s pace battery as well-equipped to handle the moving-ball environment that early-season New Zealand pitches typically offer.

He pointed to Jasprit Bumrah as the leader of that attack, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna providing strong support. In Santner’s assessment, this combination gives India genuine depth and variety with the new ball in conditions that can be demanding for visiting batters and rewarding for disciplined seamers.

“(Jasprit) Bumrah leading the attack and being able to nip and swing the ball will hold the key. (Mohammed) Siraj has done it for a long time as well and (Prasidh) Krishna is obviously bowling well. There is a lot of variety, which is what you need,” he said.

Does Santner see a role for India’s spinners in New Zealand Tests?

Spin bowling is not traditionally associated with success in New Zealand, where seam-friendly surfaces dominate for much of the season. However, Santner believes India’s spin options could still contribute meaningfully across the five days of a Test match, particularly in the later stages when the pitch begins to wear.

The BlackCaps cricketer highlighted Manav Suthar as a bowler whose technique makes him a viable option even in conditions that do not typically favour spin. He also pointed to Ravindra Jadeja as an equally capable alternative.

“Manav Suthar has been one of India’s key bowlers in recent series with his performance in Sri Lanka being especially noteworthy. Santner believes he can have a role to play in New Zealand even though the conditions there might not be as conducive to spin bowling,” the all-rounder said.

“I think there is still a role for a spinner in NZ, especially in Tests alongside the quicks, whether it is first or second innings when the pitch might be holding up. On days four and five, it could spin a bit. Whether it is (Ravindra) Jadeja or Suthar, both are very good options,” he concluded.