Mitchell

Santner

Mitchell Santner Biography and Career

Known for his all-round capabilities, especially for his orthodox spin bowling, New Zealand cricketer Mitchell Santner has made a pivotal figure in international cricket. He is often compared to the great Daniel Vettori, not only for his bowling style but also for his ability to perform well under pressure.

When New Zealand was looking for Daniel Vettori's replacement after his retirement in 2015 as a left-arm spin option, Santner was the one who took his place. Santner is a left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm bowler.

Santner's journey from domestic cricket to leading the national team in limited-overs cricket shows his dedication and resilience towards the sport.

Santner emerged at international level following the 2014–15 domestic season with Northern Districts.

His international debut in One Day International (ODI) came against England on June 9, 2015, after playing just 19 List-A games and went on to make his Twenty20 International (T20I) on June 23, 2015 against the same team. He made his Test debut in the same year on November 27 against Australia in a day-nighter in Adelaide.

During the fourth ODI match in his debut series against England, he scored 28 runs in one over bowled by Adil Rashid, which is the second-highest runs off one over ever posted in England.

His all-round performance secured him a spot in the national team for the 2016 T20I World Cup as a premier spin bowler along with Nathan McCullum. In the first match against India in the tournament, Santner won the Player of the Match award for his bowling performance, which eventually led his team to win by 47 runs. He took 4 wickets for 11 runs in that match -- the best bowling figure by a New Zealand spinner in World T20. In the tournament, New Zealand reached the semi-final stage.

He was also part of the team for the 2021 T20 World Cup. The team reached the finals but could not succeed in lifting the trophy.

Santner's impressive performances in the World Cup led to him being named in the 'Team of the Tournament' for the 2016 T20 World Cup by the ICC, ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz.

Considered as one of the best exponents of slow left-arm bowling in short-form cricket and his ability to restrict runs & take wickets, Santner has earned admiration across the cricketing world.

The peak time in his career came in the year 2019 when he recorded his maiden Test century against England at one of his home grounds. He registered the century during an epic partnership of 261-run with BJ Watling. He scored 126 runs that helped New Zealand to their highest Test total against England. His three wickets in the second innings also contributed to the team's stunning victory.

Santner's performances in limited-over cricket have earned him interest from around the world. He was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 50 lakh ahead of the 2019 IPL edition and helped the side finish second in the tournament in that season. While he has been a key member of CSK since his debut, Santner was released ahead of the IPL 2025 edition and was bought by Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs 2 crore.

The spinner also played a vital role in New Zealand's semi-final win over India during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He took 2/34 that helped New Zealand to restrict India's batting lineup. His contribution played an important role in securing New Zealand place in the final against England.

While Santner's career has been marked by several notable performances, his best bowling figures in a Test came against India in October 2024 when New Zealand beat India in a test series in India for the first time ever. He took 7 for 53 and 6 for 104 in the second test in Pune.

With his consistent performances, Santner has reached the point in his cricketing career where he can lead the national team at the international level. While he became New Zealand's 24th ODI captain in 2022 when he led the side in the only ODI against Scotland, Santner at the age of 32 was given the captaincy of New Zealand for ODI and T20 matches in December 2024, taking over from Kane Williamson.

Beyond Cricket

Beyond the boundary, Mitchell Santner is known for his love of nature and a balanced lifestyle. Married to Caitlin Dodunski, an ecologist passionate about New Zealand’s natural environment, the couple shares a deep appreciation for environmental conservation and often spends time exploring New Zealand's scenic landscapes.

Santner is also known for his love of golf, which he occasionally plays to relieve stress and relax. His social media posts often give glimpses of his personal life, including his hobbies and interests beyond cricket.

The spinner has also been involved in some social work. In 2021, he donated his time to a fundraising auction for The Starters Foundation.

Apart from that, Santner has endorsed some of the brands. He is a brand ambassador for Ping and has endorsed Ping golf clubs.

Mitchell Santner Records

Mitchell Santner Test Records:

• Highest 7th wicket partnership for New Zealand in Tests (2019): Partnership of 261 runs with BJ Watling in a match against England in which he scored 126 runs.

• Most wickets in an innings (2024): Took 7 wickets and gave 53 runs against India.

• Most wickets in a match (2024): Recorded 13/157 bowling figure against India by taking 7 wickets in first inning and 6 wickets in the second inning.

Mitchell Santner ODI Records:

• Second most runs scored in a single over in England (2015): Scored 28 runs in a single over bowled by Adil Rashid.

• Best bowling figure (2017): Took 5 wickets for 50 runs in a match against Ireland.

Mitchell Santner T20I Records:

• Best bowling figure (2016): Took 4 wickets and gave 11 runs in his spell in a match against India.

Mitchell Santner World Cup Records:

• New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker in an ODI World Cup (2023): Took 16 wickets in 10 matches with a strike rate of 4.84 and a best bowling figure of 5/59 in the tournament.