Mitchell Santner became New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker against India in T20 internationals during the fourth T20I at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, 30 October 2026. He took 2 for 24 in four overs as New Zealand beat India by 87 runs. The wickets took his tally against India to 32 in 31 matches, passing the 30 wickets held by Ish Sodhi.
The match also gave Mitchell Santner a second landmark. By dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy, he claimed his 150th wicket in T20 internationals. He finished the match with 151 wickets from 142 matches at an average of 23.09. Only Sodhi, with 165 wickets in 142 matches, and Tim Southee, with 164 wickets in 126 matches, sit ahead of him on New Zealand’s all time T20I list.
Mitchell Santner is New Zealand’s captain in this series, and his bowling has been a steady part of their plans. In the four matches played so far, he has taken nine wickets at an average of 11.22, with best figures of 4 for 21. Against India, his average is 26.06, and his best figures are 4 for 11. Two of his four four-wicket hauls in T20 internationals have come against India.
How Mitchell Santner reached 150 T20I wickets
Mitchell Santner reached the 150 mark in the same over that changed India’s chase. Nitish Kumar Reddy was caught at extra cover for 21 off 10 balls, and that dismissal was the 150th of his T20I career. Later in the same over, Axar Patel was caught and bowled for 7 off 9 balls. India were 89 for 6 at that stage, chasing 260, and they never recovered.
The over showed what has made the left-arm spinner effective for so long. He bowls a tight line, changes his pace without changing his action much, and forces batters to take risks against him. In Auckland, India needed to score quickly from the start, and that need played into his hands. His two wickets came in his opening over of the spell described in match reports, and they removed two batters who could have kept the chase alive.
He has now played 142 T20 internationals. That is a long run for a spinner in a format where teams often rotate their bowlers, and it reflects how often New Zealand have trusted him in different conditions. His four four-wicket hauls include two against India, and his career best of 4 for 11 also came against India. Those numbers explain why the record against India matters: it was built over many series, not one good week.
Mitchell Santner passes Ish Sodhi against India
The record Mitchell Santner now holds was previously held by Sodhi, his fellow spinner and long time team mate. Sodhi has 30 wickets against India in the format. England fast bowler Chris Jordan is next among bowlers from other countries, with 24 wickets against India. Santner moved clear of Sodhi by taking two wickets in Auckland, after starting the match level or close to the mark in the series.
New Zealand’s overall T20I bowling list still has Sodhi on top, with 165 wickets, followed by Southee on 164. Mitchell Santner is third with 151. The gap to the top is 14 wickets, which means the overall New Zealand record is within reach if he keeps his place and fitness through the coming months. For now, the record against India is the one he owns outright.
Mitchell Santner and the Auckland win
The landmarks came in a match New Zealand won with room to spare. Glenn Phillips scored 107 off 49 balls and Michael Bracewell made 65 off 25 balls as New Zealand posted 259 for 7, the highest total made against India in T20 internationals. Jacob Duffy took 4 for 23, and Matthew Fisher took 2 for 40, as India finished on 172 for 9. Tilak Varma top scored for India with 35, and Naman Dhir made 28.
India still lead the five match series 3-1, after winning the first three matches. New Zealand’s win in Auckland was their first of the series and their first over India at Eden Park since 2019. The final T20I will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, 1 November 2026, before the teams move to a five match ODI series starting on 4 November 2026.
For Mitchell Santner, the Auckland match will be remembered for the two marks he passed in one evening. He is now the bowler with the most T20I wickets against India, and the third New Zealand bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets. The next match in Hamilton gives him a chance to add to both totals before the format changes.