New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed pride in his team’s resilience and determination after their narrow loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final.
Despite falling short by four wickets, Santner praised his team for their unwavering spirit and the way they challenged India throughout the match.
This sentiment encapsulates the essence of New Zealand’s cricket culture, which emphasizes perseverance and teamwork.
The Final Match: A Thrilling Contest
The final match between New Zealand and India was a closely contested affair, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, setting a target of 252 runs for India.
The Kiwis’ batting lineup, led by Devon Conway’s 67 and Glenn Phillips’ 54, showed resilience in the face of India’s strong bowling attack.
However, India’s batting lineup, led by Rohit Sharma’s 76, ensured they completed the chase with six balls to spare.
Santner acknowledged that his team left about 20 runs on the table, which could have made a difference in the outcome. Despite this, he remained proud of the team’s effort, highlighting their ability to push India to the limit.
Santner’s Reflections: Pride in Resilience
Santner emphasized that his team’s ability to fight until the end is a hallmark of their cricket culture. “We pride ourselves on not giving up, and I don’t think we did,” he said, reflecting on the final match.
He praised the mix of experienced and younger players in the squad, noting that different individuals stepped up at various stages of the tournament, which was a testament to the team’s depth and unity.
Santner also highlighted the team’s growth throughout the tournament, pointing out that they faced tough challenges but consistently found ways to adapt and compete.
This adaptability was crucial in their matches against strong opponents like India and Australia.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Santner admitted that facing India was a tough challenge, especially given their strong spin attack.
He highlighted the threat posed by Varun Chakaravarthy, describing him as a “world-class bowler” with a bit of mystery.
Chakaravarthy’s ability to pick up wickets at crucial moments made him a key factor in India’s success.
Despite these challenges, Santner felt that his team learned valuable lessons from their encounters with India, particularly from their previous group stage match where Chakaravarthy took five wickets.
These lessons will be crucial for New Zealand’s future development, as they continue to face top-tier teams in international competitions.
