New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner became the leading wicket-taker against India in men's T20 internationals during the fourth match of the series at Eden Park, Auckland, on October 30, 2026. By dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy, Santner moved to 32 wickets in 31 T20Is against India, overtaking team-mate Ish Sodhi's previous tally of 30, while also crossing the 150-wicket mark in his overall T20I career.
Santner moves past Ish Sodhi
The record arrived during New Zealand's first win of the five-match series. Santner took 2/24 in four overs, removing Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy as India attempted to chase a target of 260. His dismissal of Reddy carried the historical significance: it took his tally against India to 32 wickets, putting him at the top of the head-to-head list in the shortest international format.
Sodhi, another long-serving New Zealand spinner, had held the previous benchmark with 30 wickets against India. Australia's Chris Jordan is next on the list cited in the match report with 24, while England's Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid have 22 each. Santner's achievement is especially notable because it has come across a sustained run of meetings with one of the strongest batting teams in T20 cricket.
The fourth match was played at Eden Park on Friday, October 30. New Zealand made 259/7 from 20 overs and then restricted India to 172/9, winning by 87 runs. The result ended New Zealand's run of defeats in the series, although India retained a 3-1 lead after the first four matches.
A second milestone: 150 T20I wickets
Santner's two wickets in Auckland also took him to 151 career T20I wickets from 142 matches. He became only the third New Zealand player to reach 150 wickets in the format, joining Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee in that group. The left-arm spinner's career record at the milestone stood at a bowling average of 23.09, with four four-wicket hauls and best figures of 4/11.
The record against India has been built over several years and includes two standout spells. Santner first made a major impact against India at the 2016 T20 World Cup in Nagpur, where he claimed 4/11. New Zealand won that match by 47 runs after posting 126/7 and bowling India out for 79. Santner's spell was central to that result and remains his best T20I bowling performance.
He added another four-wicket haul in Christchurch earlier in the 2026 series, returning 4/21 in the second T20I. India eventually won that match by four wickets, with Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy rescuing the chase after India had slipped to 112/6. Santner therefore had two four-wicket hauls against India, a distinction that made his latest record more than a single-match achievement.
Strong series returns despite New Zealand's slow start
By the end of the fourth T20I, Santner had taken nine wickets in the ongoing series at an average of 11.22. His 4/21 in Christchurch was his best return in the series, while the 2/24 in Auckland brought his overall tally against India to the record level. The figures underline his influence even though New Zealand lost the first three matches.
New Zealand's victory in Auckland was driven by a huge batting effort from Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell. Phillips scored 107 from 49 balls, while Bracewell made 65 from 25 deliveries. Their partnership helped New Zealand post 259/7, the highest T20I total against India at the time of the match, and left the visitors with a steep chase.
India were bowled out for 172/9 in reply. Jacob Duffy took 4/23 to lead New Zealand's bowling effort, while Santner's two wickets helped keep the middle order under pressure. The 87-run margin gave the hosts a first win in the series, but India's three earlier victories meant the visitors had already secured the series lead.
Why the record matters
Santner's position at the top of the T20I wicket list against India reflects both longevity and consistency. He has faced India in 31 matches and has produced wicket-taking spells across different conditions and phases of the game. His left-arm spin, control of pace and ability to vary trajectory have made him a recurring challenge for Indian batters.
For India, the statistic is a reminder of a bowler who has repeatedly influenced contests, even when his team has not always won. For New Zealand, the milestone adds to Santner's standing as a senior all-format player and captain, while placing him alongside the country's most successful T20I wicket-takers.
The SportsLine angle
Santner's record is a useful case study for young Indian spinners and batters alike. His success has not depended on extreme pace or extravagant turn alone; it has come from changing speed, maintaining accuracy and forcing batters to manufacture shots. India's response in the final match of the series will offer another opportunity to see how its middle order adjusts to a bowler who has become its most prolific T20I opponent.
The Auckland match also showed how quickly a series narrative can shift. New Zealand's first win did not erase India's advantage, but Santner's personal landmarks gave the hosts a significant individual achievement in a campaign that had begun poorly for them.
Frequently asked questions
How many T20I wickets has Mitchell Santner taken against India?
Mitchell Santner has taken 32 wickets in 31 men's T20I matches against India, according to the match coverage published after the fourth T20I in Auckland. That moved him ahead of New Zealand team-mate Ish Sodhi, who had 30 wickets against India in the format.
When did Mitchell Santner become the leading T20I wicket-taker against India?
Santner set the record during the fourth T20I between New Zealand and India at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30, 2026. He dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy to move beyond Ish Sodhi's previous mark of 30 wickets against India.
What were Mitchell Santner's figures in the fourth T20I against India?
Santner returned figures of 2/24 from four overs in the fourth T20I at Auckland. He dismissed Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy as New Zealand defended 259/7 and secured an 87-run victory over India.
How many T20I wickets does Mitchell Santner have overall?
Santner reached 151 T20I wickets from 142 matches during the fourth match against India. The milestone made him the third New Zealand player to reach 150 wickets in the format, following Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee.
What is Mitchell Santner's best T20I bowling performance against India?
Santner's best T20I figures against India remain 4/11, taken in Nagpur during the 2016 T20 World Cup. He also recorded 4/21 in Christchurch earlier in the October 2026 series, giving him two four-wicket hauls against India in men's T20Is.