The all-rounder has been performing consistently in limited-overs cricket for his national side.
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru coach Mike Hesson lavished praise on New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He also hailed Mumbai Indians’ (MI) auction strategy.
MI bought Santner for his base price of INR 2 crore in the November auction. Hesson heaped praise on his compatriot, having seen him develop through the youth ranks.
Hesson believes that securing New Zealand’s white-ball captain at his base price was the best deal of the IPL 2025 auction.
While explaining his choice of MI’s best-playing XI, Hesson said that Santner is among the best spinners in world cricket right now.
“Mitchell Santner is the best buys of the auction, in my opinion. I have seen his development over the years and he is one of the best spinners in the world in white-ball cricket. To be just a finger spinner with not much mystery, you have to be hugely skilled,” Hesson said on his YouTube channel ‘Coach Hesson’.
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Santner is fresh off an excellent run in international cricket. He led the Blackcaps to the tri-series win against South Africa and Pakistan followed by a runners-up medal in the Champions Trophy 2025. Santner was consistent with his performances claiming nine wickets at an economy of four in the ICC event.
Hesson felt that the two-time IPL winner with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would be a big contributor to MI with both, the ball and the bat.
“He can bowl in the Powerplay and towards the backend. Not necessarily at the death but towards the back end. As a batter, he is a power player, left-hander and hits big sixes. In the international scene he bats No.7 and 8. Expect him to make big contributions,” Hesson said.
Santner has played a sporadic role in CSK’s sustained success over six seasons. Managing just 18 appearances for the Men In Yellow, he has scored 70 runs and claimed 15 wickets.
MI will begin their campaign against Santner’s old side CSK on March 23.
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