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Mitchell Santner of New Zealand said that the defeat against India in the final of the Champions Trophy on Sunday was a “bit bitter” ending at its first ICC tournament as a captain.
New Zealand has come down to India by four counters in a confrontation of the hard title which was decided in the penultimate in Dubai.
Santner, a left -handed spinner and a daring striker, resumed the white ball work in December by Kane Williamson, who resigned after the T20 World Cup last year.
The Black Caps lost two of their five games and the two defeats came against India.
“It was very pleasant,” said Santner after their defeat in the final.
“Made easy by the group. Different guys intensify at different times make it easy. We had some challenges but we adapted. It was a big tournament.”
Santner, 33, led New Zealand with Aplomb while they were the first team to reach the semi-finals, taking India with them after victories on the hosts in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
New Zealand beat South Africa in the Lahore semi-finals with centuries of Rachin Ravirand and Williamson.
In the final, New Zealand posted 251-7 after choosing to beat first on a slow land that helped the spinners.
The left-handed left-handed helped New Zealand starts strongly with its 37, but soon the Indian spinners retaliated with counters.
Daryl Mitchell was scored with 63 and Michael Bracewell finished with 53 undefeated balls of 40 balls, but it was not enough against an alignment of Indian striker with depth.
“I guess it’s a little soft-man at the end,” said Santner.
“I think we had a good part in the final, but yes, you know that we sometimes challenged there throughout this match, which was pleasant.”
He added: “I think there were probably a few short moments when we let him move away from us, but yes incredibly proud of this group as we somehow went through this tournament.”
Ravi will scored two centuries in the eight nations tournament and had 263 points to be appointed player in the series.
He also took three counters with his rotation of the left arm after returning to the team after his recovery suddenly unpleasant on his forehead during a warm -up match in Pakistan.
“We have seen how he intervenes in these major events and that’s all you can ask,” said Santner about his 25 -year -old versatile.
“He already understands his game at such a young age. He has such a massive future to come. He even took the ball in hand and put the pressure on them today.”
FK / MW
