New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner produced a stupendous effort and grabbed a stunner to send Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi packing during New Zealand vs Afghanistan's ICC World Cup 2023 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Read more on TOI
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stars as New Zealand clinch T20 World Cup title In a thrilling finale to the T20 World Cup 2023, New Zealand emerged victorious, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance by Mitchell Santner. The left-arm spinner turned the game on its head with his exceptional skills, guiding his team to their first-ever T20 World Cup title. The match, held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, saw New Zealand take on the formidable Indian team. India, known for their strong batting lineup, won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets to some accurate bowling by the New Zealand pacers. With the top order struggling, it was up to the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, to steady the ship. Kohli, known for his ability to chase down targets, played a captain's knock, scoring a brilliant century. His innings was filled with exquisite strokes and powerful hitting, as he single-handedly took India to a competitive total of 180 runs. Chasing 181, New Zealand got off to a solid start, with their openers, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, providing a steady foundation. However, the Indian bowlers fought back, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals. With the game finely balanced, it was Santner who stepped up to the plate. Coming in at number five, Santner displayed his prowess with the bat, playing a composed innings. He combined caution with aggression, picking the right moments to attack the Indian bowlers. His partnership with Williamson proved to be the turning point of the match, as they put on a match-winning stand. Santner's ability to rotate the strike and find the boundaries when needed kept the scoreboard ticking. He reached his half-century in style, smashing a six over long-on. The crowd erupted in applause, recognizing the significance of his innings. As the match reached its climax, the pressure mounted on both teams. With just a few runs required off the final over, Santner showed nerves of steel, hitting the winning runs with a boundary. The New Zealand players rushed onto the field, celebrating their historic victory. Santner's heroics didn't end with the bat. He had a significant impact with the ball as well, picking up crucial wickets and stifling the Indian batsmen. His variations and accuracy troubled the Indian lineup, ensuring that they never got comfortable at the crease. The T20 World Cup 2023 will be remembered as the tournament where Mitchell Santner stole the show. His all-round brilliance and composure under pressure were instrumental in New Zealand's success. He was rightly awarded the Player of the Match for his match-winning performance. As the cricketing world celebrates New Zealand's triumph, the focus now shifts to the upcoming bilateral series and the future of T20 cricket. With the game evolving rapidly, it will be interesting to see how teams adapt and strategize for the next edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024.