Inputs from Vettori will help crack India code, says New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner

MUMBAI: New Zealand allrounder Mitchell Santner says his team is ready to take on India in the upcoming threematch ODI series starting on Sunday.

Santner says control with the ball will be key for New Zealand, adding that he has watched video footage of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja to learn from them.

“Especially on wickets that offer a little bit, I watched a lot of Axar Patel and Jadeja. They just try to bowl very consistent and good areas and wait for the batsmen to hit a big shot and get out or run past one. (I) Have taken a little bit of footage from there,” Santner said after New Zealand’s training session on Monday.

Santner mentioned the Indian spinners while responding to a query on how much he has learned from former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.

He said, “The more I got out of him (Daniel Vettori) was tactical. I guess the way to bowl. Not trying to bowl miracle balls every ball. It’s about tying up a batsman and waiting for them to make a mistake.”

Even though Virat Kohli has not been in the form that he was in last year — striking his second double century against New Zealand at Indore in Test cricket — Santner says it is never easy bowling to Kohli.

“Not easy. He’s a very good player, and so is a lot of their team. They’re in good form, the way they played against Australia was very good. The last time we came here, we did OK. Hopefully we can do one better this time and take the series,” he said.

In their tour last year, New Zealand lost 3-2 in the ODIS to India with the series being decided only in the final match at Hyderabad. New Zealand will on India in a three-match ODI series starting on Sunday, October 22 in Mumbai.