What’s the common thread between Mumbai Indians’ resurgence and Delhi Capitals’ downfall? The answer lies in the crafty hands of Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand skipper and spin wizard.
April 13, 2025, marked a turning point in the IPL 2025 season. At 135 for 2, with Karun Nair in full flow, Delhi Capitals seemed poised to extend their winning streak. But Santner had other plans. With a delivery that spun sharply, he dismantled Nair’s stumps, sending shockwaves through the DC camp. He didn’t stop there, dismissing the dangerous Vipraj Nigam soon after, setting the stage for Mumbai Indians’ remarkable comeback victory.
From that moment, DC’s campaign spiraled, managing only a couple of wins, while MI surged ahead. The final nail in the coffin came at the Wankhede Stadium, where Santner once again proved to be the difference. His spell of 3 for 11 in four overs was a masterclass in spin bowling. It wasn’t just the wickets that stood out, but the way he outfoxed his opponents with precision and guile.
Take the 15th over, for instance. Santner struck twice, showcasing his tactical brilliance. On the first ball, Sameer Rizvi tried to create space to drive over the covers. Santner, however, read his footwork perfectly, delivering a flatter trajectory that left Rizvi stranded. The next ball saw Rizvi attempting a sweep, only to miss completely, resulting in a stumping. Santner’s ability to vary his flight and length was on full display.
Even in the previous encounter between DC and MI, Santner had outsmarted Nigam with a mix of flat deliveries and well-tossed-up offerings. The key to his success lies in his subtle adjustments in line, length, and flight. He studies the batter’s footwork like a hawk, making small tweaks in his release point and using the crease to his advantage. His stop-start action gives him that extra fraction of a second to anticipate the batter’s movements.
Santner is akin to a scientist, meticulously planning his experiments on the cricket field. While his bowling may seem unassuming at times, the nuances of his craft are what make him so effective. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” perfectly encapsulates Santner’s approach, as he demonstrated on that humid night at the Wankhede.
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