Santner on India's T20I rout: 'Pretty tough to stop those guys'
Synopsis
India's powerplay at Hnry Stadium wasn't just dominant — it was historic. A 133-run opening stand, a 13.2-over chase of 199, and a world-record 118 in the powerplay left New Zealand captain Santner conceding his bowlers had no answers. The series now moves to Eden Park, where smaller boundaries may test India's stranglehold.
Key Takeaways
India chased down 199 in just 13.2 overs with six wickets in hand in the third T20I at Wellington on 27 October .
Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls ; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 45 off 19 balls , sharing a 133-run opening stand.
India's powerplay total of 118 is the highest ever by any T20I team, surpassing Romania's 116/0 against Serbia in 2021.
India's team hundred in five overs is the second-fastest in T20I history, behind Eswatini's effort in 4.5 overs.
Daryl Mitchell hit a career-best 89* for New Zealand; Glenn Phillips had scored 82* and 70 in the previous two games.
The series moves to Eden Park , where New Zealand will look to find ways to contain India's destructive openers.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India's stunning batting dominance in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on 27 October, admitting it is 'pretty tough' to stop the Indian openers once they get going. India chased down a 199-run target in just 13.2 overs with six wickets in hand, delivering one of the most emphatic powerplay performances in T20 history.
A Batting Masterclass in Wellington
Abhishek Sharma's blistering 113 off 38 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rapid 45 off 19 balls set the tone from the opening over. The duo forged a 133-run partnership for the first wicket, taking India to 100 runs inside five overs — the second-fastest team hundred in T20I history — and finishing the powerplay at a record 118 runs, surpassing Romania's previous best of 116/0 in 5.4 overs against Serbia in 2021.
Santner's Admission After the Loss
Speaking to broadcasters after the game, Santner was candid about the difficulty of containing the Indian openers. 'Pretty tough to stop those guys when they're going. We have seen it before; we have seen it in the IPL. Obviously, witnessed it here in New Zealand tonight,' he said. He also credited India's bowlers for restricting New Zealand in the back end of the first innings despite the hosts tracking for 200. 'I thought they bowled really well those last few overs, really got the yorkers in and made it tough for us,' Santner added.
Dew Factor and Powerplay Pressure
Santner pointed to dew as a key challenge for his bowlers while defending. 'Obviously, when the dew comes in, it's pretty tough to stop, and the powerplay is such a massive part of this game, and they showed, I guess, how to bat in the powerplay,' he said. He also revealed that he delayed bringing himself on — coming to bowl only in the ninth over — after observing that there was little turn on offer for left-arm spin, noting he had watched Axar Patel in the first innings for cues.
New Zealand's Batting Bright Spots
Despite the heavy defeat, Santner drew comfort from his batters stepping up across the series. Glenn Phillips scored 82* and 70 in the first two matches, while Daryl Mitchell struck a career-best 89* in the third. 'We have seen guys who have gotten in and kicked on... different guys stepping up, which is always nice,' Santner noted.
Eyes on Eden Park
With the series shifting to Eden Park, Santner hinted that New Zealand would need fresh tactics given the ground's reportedly smaller dimensions. 'We're going to have to try to find ways, I guess,' he said. India have won the toss in all three matches so far, opting to bowl first each time. The fourth T20I at Eden Park will be a crucial test of whether New Zealand can neutralise India's powerplay threat on a different surface.
Point of View
Field placements and bowling changes become largely cosmetic. The real question heading into Eden Park is whether India's powerplay dominance holds on a ground known for big totals — and whether any team in the world currently has a credible answer.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the India vs New Zealand third T20I in Wellington?
India chased down a 199-run target in just 13.2 overs with six wickets in hand at Hnry Stadium on 27 October. Abhishek Sharma's 113 off 38 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 45 off 19 balls powered the chase, with India setting a world record of 118 runs in the powerplay.
What T20I records did India break in the third match against New Zealand?
India's powerplay total of 118 is the highest ever by any team in T20I cricket, surpassing Romania's 116/0 against Serbia in 2021. Their team hundred in five overs is the second-fastest in T20I history, behind only Eswatini's hundred in 4.5 overs against Mozambique earlier this year.
What did Mitchell Santner say about India's batting performance?
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted it is 'pretty tough to stop those guys when they're going,' referencing the Indian openers. He also acknowledged that dew made conditions more difficult for his bowlers and said India 'showed how to bat in the powerplay.'
Why did Santner delay his own bowling in the third T20I?
Santner came on to bowl only in the ninth over, saying he watched Axar Patel in the first innings and felt there was little on offer for left-arm spin. He noted there was some movement for seamers and chose to try Bracewell against the two left-handers first.
What are New Zealand's options heading into the fourth T20I at Eden Park?
Santner indicated that Eden Park's potentially smaller dimensions could change the dynamic, saying New Zealand would need to 'find ways' to stop India's openers. New Zealand will also take confidence from their batters firing — Glenn Phillips scored 82* and 70 in the first two games, and Daryl Mitchell hit a career-best 89* in the third.
