“The way we started in the Powerplay was what India was doing to us” - Mitchell Santner after New Zealand’s win over India in fourth T20I

New Zealand captain, Mitchell Santner, has stated that the visitors are using the ongoing five-match T20I series against India as an ideal preparatory series for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka.

In the fourth T20I, New Zealand batted first and posted 71 runs in the powerplay overs. Tim Seifert was the wrecker-in-chief scoring 62 runs in 36 balls with seven fours and three sixes. On the other hand, Devon Conway smacked 44 runs in 23 balls with four fours and three sixes.

Eventually, Daryl Mitchell, batting in the lower-middle-order, smacked an unbeaten 39-run knock off 18 balls with two fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 216.67 to take New Zealand to 215/7 in 20 overs.

"The way we started in the Powerplay was what India was doing to us. Especially after the last game, you don't want guys to go into a shell. They set us up for a decent score. Finished up by Daryl, who took us to a good total. We are thinking about what we are likely to get at the World Cup. We have a couple of guys back for the last game, which is nice. Wickets at the start are crucial, making our job as spinners easier," Mitchell Santner said in the post-match presentation.

Furthermore, the player of the match, Seifert, asserted that he wanted to bat with intent and put pressure on the opposition bowlers right from the powerplay overs, adding that if the pitches continue be the same, we can expect a high-scoring mega event.

"Sometimes you get a bit lucky early on. The intent we wanted to put on the bowlers early, you get top edges sometimes. [Bumrah] He got me with a beauty in the last game. Looked to play straight, once you get the first ball with him, things get easier. The intent and putting pressure were what we wanted to do. No matter where we play, every wicket's going to be different. Being able to adapt and being yourself... If the pitches are anything like this series, the T20 World Cup will be high-scoring," Tim Seifert said during the post-match presentation.

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