India's Long New Zealand Tour: Santner Prepares for ODI Challenge
Mitchell Santner knows what’s coming. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Fresh. Ring-fenced now as India’s one-day specialists. And heading back to a country where they’ve often made run-scoring look routine.
Later this year, India will land in New Zealand for a marathon tour: five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests across October and November. For Santner, the headline act in the 50-over leg is obvious.
“It is going to be a challenge. They are still very good players as we have seen for a long time; masters of the ODI game,” the New Zealand captain told PTI, acknowledging the threat of Rohit and Kohli. “They have taken a liking to some New Zealand pitches in the past. Hopefully, not this time around.”
The series is more than just a high-profile visit. It doubles as a dress rehearsal for the ODI World Cup next year, with both teams trying to lock down combinations before October.
“It is going to be a great series, no doubt. It is all a lead-up for the World Cup next year in ODIs. Everyone is trying to figure out their best team; what that might look like for October next year with limited games,” Santner said.
Beating India at home: New Zealand’s first target
For all the talk of preparation and planning, Santner has a simpler, more immediate aim.
New Zealand want to beat India in their own backyard.
“We’ve got five (matches) against India, three against Sri Lanka at home and then it is World Cup prep in England (in September 2027), right before the World Cup,” he said, laying out the schedule.
Then he narrowed the focus.
“(But) first things first, you want to win a series against India at home, which would be an awesome thing. Then it is (about) trying to find what the make-up might look like come October next year.”
The ODIs against India are followed by three at home against Sri Lanka, before the Blackcaps head to England in September 2027 for their final World Cup tune-up. But nothing, in Santner’s mind, quite matches the weight of knocking over India on New Zealand soil.
A packed tour: India’s New Zealand schedule
India’s tour stretches across formats and venues, from Hagley Oval to Eden Park to the Basin Reserve. The T20I leg opens the visit:
- Oct 22, 2026: 1st T20I – Hagley Oval, Christchurch – 12:30 PM IST
- Oct 24, 2026: 2nd T20I – Hagley Oval, Christchurch – 12:30 PM IST
- Oct 27, 2026: 3rd T20I – Sky Stadium, Wellington – 12:30 PM IST
- Oct 30, 2026: 4th T20I – Eden Park, Auckland – 12:30 PM IST
- Nov 1, 2026: 5th T20I – Seddon Park, Hamilton – 12:30 PM IST
The ODIs, where Rohit and Kohli step in, follow:
- Nov 4, 2026: 1st ODI – Eden Park, Auckland – 7:30 AM IST
- Nov 7, 2026: 2nd ODI – Sky Stadium, Wellington – 7:30 AM IST
- Nov 10, 2026: 3rd ODI – Seddon Park, Hamilton – 7:30 AM IST
- Nov 13, 2026: 4th ODI – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui – 7:30 AM IST
- Nov 15, 2026: 5th ODI – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui – 7:30 AM IST
Then comes the red-ball test. Literally.
- Nov 19–23, 2026: 1st Test – Basin Reserve, Wellington – 3:30 AM IST
- Nov 27–Dec 1, 2026: 2nd Test – Hagley Oval, Christchurch – 3:30 AM IST
Santner’s memories of India’s 3–0 Test drubbing
Mention India and Test cricket, and Santner’s mind goes back to a landmark series.
India and New Zealand last met in a Test series in India, where the visitors stunned the hosts 3–0, snapping a home unbeaten run that had stretched more than 12 years and 18 series. Santner played a central role, especially in the second Test at Pune, where he took 7/53 and 6/104 to seal the series.
“I think what we spoke about before is trying to adapt quickly,” he said, recalling that tour.
This time, the challenge flips. A “new-look” India Test side will walk into conditions that will test their adaptability in a different way.
“For a new-look India side, it is probably going to be the first time some players have been playing red-ball (cricket) in New Zealand, where the pitches will be a little bit foreign,” Santner pointed out. “They will probably do a bit more than they might do back home.”
‘Very well-rounded’: respect for India’s Test attack
Even with transition and fresh faces, Santner sees a lot to like in India’s Test squad. His assessment is blunt and respectful.
“If you look at their squad, it is a very well-rounded squad,” he said.
He then ran through the names that could shape the series with the ball.
“You throw (Jasprit) Bumrah back into the bowling attack, you have got (Mohammed) Siraj, (Prasidh) Krishna with the bounce. You have got (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Manav) Suthar to bowl spin. You have got probably a fourth seamer in there as well.”
“It is shaping up nicely. I think it is going to be a great series. Traditionally, it can do a little bit in New Zealand at that time of the year,” Santner added, hinting at seaming tracks and long spells for the quicks.
‘Fight fire with fire’: how to bat in New Zealand
Santner also lifted the lid on what he expects from batting approaches in New Zealand’s Test conditions. There will be movement. There will be tricky spells. Sitting in a shell won’t always work.
“It could be trying to fight fire with fire, playing your shots,” he said.
At the same time, he knows the old virtues still matter.
“There might be times we need to sit back and let the bowlers go for a bit, try to get the shine off the ball. There is a lot that can go on in the Test matches in New Zealand. It is going to be an exciting series and one that we can't wait for.”
The balance between aggression and survival, between counterpunch and discipline, could define the two Tests as much as any selection call.
Why only two Tests?
A tour this long, a rivalry this rich – and yet only two Tests. The question followed Santner, and he didn’t dodge it.
“For a long time, New Zealand played two-match series. There’s obviously the money side of it as well,” he said.
“I know it costs a lot to play Test cricket. (It is about) timing as well; white-ball brings in the crowds in New Zealand, it brings the money. That's why I guess it is the 10-2 split.”
Ten white-ball games, two Tests. A ratio shaped by finances and fan behaviour as much as cricketing tradition.
Even so, Santner underlined what those two Tests still represent.
“Whenever India come, even if it is only two Test matches, it is going to be exciting. Everyone wants to challenge themselves against the best in the world and they are up there. For us, it is going to be an important series like it is for India with the (World Test Championship) points that are on offer.”
Rohit and Kohli will headline the ODIs. Bumrah and company will spearhead a “well-rounded” Test attack. New Zealand, with Santner at the helm, want to beat India at home and bank crucial WTC points.
The stage is set. Now the question is simple: who adapts faster when those New Zealand pitches start to talk?
