Worcestershire Rapids 2023 Vitality Blast overseas signings Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell made major contributions with the ball for New Zealand in their T20I win over India in the series opening game in Ranchi.
The spin duo both picked up two wickets as India were restricted to 155-9 in reply to the Black Caps 176-6, of which Daryl Mitchell made 59 not out.
They removed the Indian openers during the initial powerplay and came back into the attack to strike again.
Bracewell and Santner’s efforts helped ensure New Zealand won their first game of the tour after losing the ODI Series 3-0.
Bracewell shared the new ball and struck in his first over when Ishan Kishan (pushed forward to a fine delivery which pitched on middle and hit the top of off stump.
Santner’s very first delivery accounted for Shubman Gill (7) when he went for a pull and ballooned the ball straight to forward square leg to leave India on 15-3.
There was more success for the pair, with a wicket apiece in the Indian middle order.
Indian captain Hardik Pandya (21) tried to pull Bracewell, who held onto a top-edged skier at short mid-wicket.
Deepak Hood (10) then gave Santner the charge and was stumped at 111-6 in the 16th over.
Santner finished with superb figures of 4-1-11-2 and Bracewell 4-0-31-2.
Santner said: “I think it was a bit of a shock how much it spun in the second innings. After lots of runs in the ODI series, it was nice to see the ball turn.
“I don’t think we were ever safe [even after posting 176]. Daryl Mitchell batted really batted well.
“At the toss, we were thinking to bowl because it was dewy from the start, but it never really got worse. The newer and harder ball was spinning a lot in the powerplay.”
Bracewell said: “It got a little bit moist towards the end, but otherwise, there wasn’t too much dew.
“Disappointing one-day series, so it’s good to bounce back. It’s a short three-match series, good to go into the next game with a little bit of momentum.”
The second game of the series will take place at Lucknow on Sunday.
