Here's how Mitchell Santner earned INR 1 lakh in Mumbai Test despite not featuring in NZ playing XI

New Zealand is a team that has always been famous for its fielding. They have set new benchmarks in the fielding department. Recently, in the India vs New Zealand Test match played at the Wankhede Stadium, substitute fielder Mitchell Santner came in for a few overs and pulled off an unbelievable boundary save for his team. 

Because of that save, Mitchell Santner won the award for the best save of the match. The left-arm spinner did not receive a place in the playing XI as the team management used the trio of Rachin Ravindra, Ajaz Patel and William Somerville as their spin-bowling options. 

The trio was not equally impressive. Ajaz made history by taking 10 wickets in the first innings of the Mumbai Test and then he finished the series as the most successful bowler among the two sides. 

Meanwhile, Somerville had a forgettable series. Barring his batting performance from the Kanpur Test match where he came in as a night watchman in the second innings and survived more than 100 deliveries, this series was the one to forget for him. 

Somerville bowled a total of 69 overs in the two Test matches played against the Indian cricket team. He had an economy rate of close to 3.5 runs per over, whereas he failed to pick up even a single wicket. It was a little confusing why Mitchell Santner and Neil Wagner did not play in the series. 

Mitchell Santner did not feature in playing XI but pulled off a miraculous save

In the 47th over India’s first innings, Shreyas Iyer hit a delivery bowled by William Somerville towards the deep midwicket region. It looked like a six, so the batters did not run hard. 

Mitchell Santner, however, saved the six and the batters only got one run. Since he saved five runs, Santner won that award. You can watch that save in the video from the 4:20 mark right here.