Dhoni's Snub: Santner's Heroics Steal the Show in CSK's Remarkable Journey
Santner's experience in the IPL mirrors his international career. After being picked by CSK in the 2018 auction, he faced long spells without play, a common challenge for foreign players in the league. Although he didn't feature at all in the 2018 season, he made a significant impact in 2019 during a dramatic match against the Rajasthan Royals.
In a thrilling match that saw MS Dhoni confront the umpires, Mitchell Santner emerged as a key player for New Zealand, overshadowing the chaos with his stunning performance. Known to Indian cricket fans through his appearances in both the international arena and the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Santner solidified his place in history this month by leading New Zealand to an unforgettable Test series victory against India.
Despite his reputation as a skilled spin-bowling all-rounder, Santner's journey in Test cricket has been marked by inconsistency. Having made his debut in November 2015, he played his 29th Test match against India in Pune, where he delivered a match-winning performance. His impressive figures of 7 wickets for 53 runs in the first innings and 6 for 104 in the second innings showcased his ability to dismantle one of the strongest batting lineups in the world. Remarkably, this performance came after he was left out of the first Test.
That match became infamous not just for the on-field action but for Dhoni's passionate intervention. CSK needed 18 runs in the final over, with Dhoni on strike. Following a no-ball controversy that had Dhoni storming onto the field, Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and took a single, only to see Dhoni run out. Santner then walked in, and after an initial no-ball call that was overturned, he was left to chase a last-ball victory. With CSK needing 3 runs off the final delivery, Santner rose to the occasion, smashing a six that sealed a dramatic win for CSK, with Jadeja lifting him in celebration.
In the subsequent Test in Pune, both Jadeja and Santner faced off, with Jadeja dismissed for 38 runs. Santner himself scored 33 runs but played a crucial role in dismantling the Indian batting lineup. His stellar bowling led to India being bowled out for just 156 runs in their first innings. New Zealand then set a daunting target of 359 runs. Despite a strong start from India, which reached 96 for 1, Santner’s bowling proved too much as he took six wickets, helping New Zealand secure a historic 113-run victory.
This remarkable series win marked New Zealand's first Test series triumph in India, and Santner’s contributions, both with the bat and ball, were vital in achieving this milestone. His journey from being overlooked by Dhoni to becoming a pivotal player for New Zealand underscores the unpredictability and excitement of cricket, where heroes can rise from the unlikeliest of circumstances.
