Mitchell Santner set a massive world record
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Mitchell Santner took nine wickets in the 2025 Champions Trophy
- Santner led New Zealand to the final in his maiden ICC event as captain
- Santner took five wickets in the knockout stages
Despite New Zealand's defeat in the 2025 Champions Trophy final to India by four wickets in a tense clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (March 9), Black Caps skipper Mitchell Santner etched his name in the history books by setting a huge world record.
Santner was at his best with the ball against India and bowled a stunning spell that saw him take two wickets and give away just 46 runs. The Black Caps' skipper got the important scalps of Shubman Gill and Shreyas, which ensured that the one-time champions were able to fight back after India got off to a quick start in the powerplay with a 106-run opening partnership.
Santner was also the star of the show for New Zealand in the semi-final victory over South Africa, where he took three wickets and gave just 43 runs in three overs on a batting paradise at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Santner spun a web around the Proteas which included the important dismissals of Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen.
In his debut ICC tournament as captain, the 33-year-old finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with nine wickets in five innings at an average of 26.66.
Mitchell Santner Creates History In Champions Trophy 2025
Santner's sensational campaign with the ball made him the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Champions Trophy by a captain. He broke Shaun Pollock's record, who took eight wickets across the 2000 and 2002 editions of the tournament.
Most Wickets By A Captain In Champions Trophy History
| Player |
Country |
Wickets |
Innings |
Editions |
| Mitchell Santner |
New Zealand |
9 |
5 |
2025 |
| Shaun Pollock |
South Africa |
8 |
5 |
2000,2002 |
| Daniel Vettori |
New Zealand |
7 |
4 |
2009 |
| Hansie Cronje |
South Africa |
4 |
3 |
1998 |
| Steve Tikolo |
Kenya |
4 |
3 |
2002,2004 |
Santner also broke countryman Daniel Vettori's record for the most wickets in a single edition of a tournament. The ex-Kiwi skipper had set the record in the 2009 edition when also New Zealand suffered a similar fate as they reached the final but lost the summit clash to Australia at Centurion's Supersport Park.
Most Wickets By Captain In Single Edition Of Champions Trophy
| Player |
Country |
Matches Played |
Edition |
Wickets |
| Mitchell Santner |
New Zealand |
5 |
2025 |
9 |
| Daniel Vettori |
New Zealand |
4 |
2009 |
7 |
| Shaun Pollock |
South Africa |
3 |
2002 |
5 |
| Hansie Cronje |
South Africa |
3 |
1998 |
4 |
Santner came into the New Zealand team almost immediately after Vettori's retirement, who was also a left-arm spinner. The Black Caps' captain has been arguably the best finger spinner in white-ball cricket for the last decade. He replaced Kane Williamson as New Zealand's ODI and T20I captain last year.
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