India vs New Zealand 2017, 1st T20I: 5 things we learnt from the match

#3 India overcome Santner-Sodhi blues

Santner was dealt with caution and precision by the Indian openers

A year back, when the teams met in the opening match of the World T20 2016 in Nagpur, New Zealand spinners had decimated India on a rank turner. Mitchell Santner was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up figures of 4/11, while Ish Sodhi did his part and picked up 3/18. India failed to chase down 127 and were bowled out for 79.

This time around, the Indians were prepared for the spin threat that the duo posed. Santner opened the attack and although he did tease Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan with his arm balls, the Indian openers were prepared to weather the storm. Once they got past the initial blues against Santner and Sodhi, both were played around quite easily.