Santner vs Sai Kishore as MI take on GT in IPL eliminator
NEW CHANDIGARH: For the longest time, one question that kept coming back every season of the Indian Premier League. Why are Mitchell Santner and R Sai Kishore not playing regularly? There were other forms of the same question as well. What more do they have to do to deserve a place in the playing XI? How are they not bowling four overs every game?
The questions did not come without reason. Any format, any tournament, any opponent, you watch either of them take the field and roll their arms, they made a difference. Santner more internationally and Sai Kishore domestically. In the IPL, however, they were not even getting on the field.
The biggest reason, at least until two years ago, was that they were with Chennai Super Kings. The five-time champions had the services of Santner for five years — from 2019 till 2024 — and Sai Kishore for two years – 2020 and 2021. With Ravindra Jadeja in the team, it was understandable that Chennai were not keen on playing two left-arm orthodox spinners. While they did not make use of them, CSK were also ensuring that the other teams did not have them in their arsenal.
Till the beginning of the 2025 season, Santner had played just 18 games, with the highest being six games in 2022. Sai Kishore, meanwhile, had played just ten games – all for Gujarat Titans, who picked him in 2022. Last year, Sai Kishore's season came to a stop because of a freak injury while playing golf. That all changed significantly this year.
As five-time champions Mumbai Indians and the 2022 season winners face each other in the eliminator at the New PCA Stadium on Friday, it is hard to believe that they will be in the playoffs without Santner and Sai Kishore, For a team who have seldom relied on spinners, especially in recent years, Mumbai have turned to Santner this season. The New Zealander has responded in kind.
In contrast to the last five seasons, Santner has already played 11 games, taking nine wickets while giving away just 7.89 runs per over. Having won just one game in their first five, MI started turning things around when Santner took the crucial wicket of Karun Nair who had smashed 89 runs off 40 balls. With Karn Sharma taking three, MI beat Delhi Capitals by just 12 runs. That was just the beginning. Since then, Santner has given away more than 30 runs only once – their last league game against Punjab Kings. In fact, it was Santner's spell of 3/11 against DC in the second half that sealed their playoff spot.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
40 minutes ago
- India.com
Meet beautiful sports anchor who cheers for Shubman Gill's GT, she is a professional Tennis player, her name is...
Tanvi Shah, currently hosting during IPL 2025, has been turning heads with her striking looks. Her fashionable appearance and poised attitude have made her a familiar and admired figure among IPL fans. Tanvi Shah represents the Gujarat Titans as their anchor, and her elegant charm and engaging presence have quickly earned her a strong fan following throughout the tournament. Tanvi is regularly seen supporting the Gujarat Titans from the stands. She often interacts with GT players and coaching personnel through interviews, reflecting her strong association with the franchise. Prior to her career in cricket media, Tanvi Shah pursued tennis professionally. She was formerly ranked No. 1 in India in the U16 girls' category, underscoring her strong sporting roots. As per media sources, Tanvi Shah also competed in the Junior Australian Open, showcasing her skill and commitment to tennis in her formative years. Gradually, Tanvi Shah transitioned from tennis to cricket as her enthusiasm for the game deepened. This passion paved the way for her role as a sports presenter. Throughout the IPL, she's frequently spotted wearing the Gujarat Titans jersey, reporting from the field and interacting with supporters.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
A'bad-G'nagar hospitality sector getting bigger
1 2 A hmedabad: The hospitality scene is getting bigger in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar with the twin cities set to add 1,200-plus room keys in five new upcoming premium hotel projects. Currently, the city has at least 6,500 keys in the five-star hotel category. On Thursday, Ahmedabad realty firm AG Group signed a contract with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for a 150-key Holiday Inn hotel along the New Science City area. This mixed-use project spread over 1.6 million sq ft comprises residential towers and the hotel, with AG Group committing an investment of Rs 200 crore for the hotel alone. Gandhinagar-based Kavyaratna Group too recently signed a contract with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for a new property in GIFT City. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the hospitality chain is slated to come up with another property in Sanand Industrial Estate. From global chains expanding their presence to strategic locations being tapped for business and leisure travellers, the influx signals growing investor confidence in Gujarat's economic hub. Vikram Bharwad, director of AG Group, said, "We will build a 1.25 lakh sq ft hotel, which will be managed by IHG. Construction will be completed by 2028. We also plan to launch at least five more hotels and resorts in various parts of the country in the years to come." "Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and GIFT City are developing as attractive hubs for businesses and industrial growth. That apart, being home to the world's largest cricket stadium at Motera, Ahmedabad has hosted iconic tournaments like the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, British rock band Coldplay's live concert, and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The city's stature is rising not just as an industrial and business district but also as a cultural, sports, and events hub, which is bound to drive travellers from across the globe to this city. As a result, hospitality investments are on the rise in this region," said Narendra Somani, president, Hotels and Restaurants' Association (HRA) – Gujarat. IHG is also planning more expansions in the region. Sandip Jain, MD, IHG Group, said, "This will be the third hotel by IHG Hotels and Resorts in Ahmedabad. The city has seen growing demand from guests and corporates with increasing business activities and growing income. We currently have around 240 rooms in two hotel brands in the city, and this contract will add around 150 rooms." Sources confirmed that Marriott International's luxury hotel brand, St Regis, is also likely to come up along Sabarmati Riverfront's west bank. TOI had reported that Marriott International is in talks to set up a hotel under its brand JW Marriott at the Adani Shantigram campus on SG Road. The American hospitality major's existing property in the Ramdevnagar area of Ahmedabad is all set for a revamp and rebranding as Le Meridien. SK Patel, chairman of Kavyaratna Group, said, "We are developing a 210-room hotel, spread over 2.40 lakh sq ft with an investment of around Rs 450 crore. GIFT City is emerging as a global financial hub, offering good opportunities for the hospitality sector." Adani Group is also in advanced talks to develop Aerocity at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in Ahmedabad, which will house hotels, a convention centre, and retail spaces.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Stung by Gujarat Titans' exit, Sudharsan now turns focus on red-ball cricket
NEW CHANDIGARH: B Sai Sudharsan might not have been able to take Gujarat Titans across the line in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, but the youngster walked away with plenty of goodwill. Having amassed an impressive 759 runs (No 1 in the list as of May 31), Sudharsan had a remarkable journey. The left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu became the youngest to cross the 700-run mark on Friday. But that was not enough. Despite his contribution of 80 (off 49 balls) on the day, GT fell short of Mumbai's target to bow out. Given the team's lofty ambitions, Sai Sudharsan is certainly stung by this defeat. "I mean it is good to see that I had a good season or I was consistent enough for my team, but I think when the job is not finished, you do not get that ultimate satisfaction when you get back to your home," he reflected after the match. "There is a lot of disappointment in the environment because the way we played the first 12 or 13 games, which was fantastic to see as a group or as a team from outside, even when you look at a season like this, I think our team was so good. They did a lot of things really well, so finishing a tournament like this does not give me that complete satisfaction, but appreciating the performances and, of course, learning from it is the thing forward," Sai Sudharsan added. Sai Sudharsan now has a fresh challenge in store. Having earned his maiden Test call-up for the five-match series in England, he'll be looking to keep up his rich run in the five-day format. He was also named in the A-team squad for the second unofficial Test, but Sai Sudharsan was not prepared to leave the IPL before June 4. "We were not thinking about when to leave for India or the Test team, but if that was the plan, we would have left on June 6, but now we will have to have a conversation and see how it goes," he said.
