New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner on Monday (February 19) expressed his delight on the prospect of representing Chennai Super Kings in the next edition of India Premier League (IPL). The 26-year-old also added that it will be a real honour for him to play under the leadership of legendary MS Dhoni. Moreover, Santner is glad that he will only have to bowl at MS Dhoni in the nets.
CSK will make a return to the cash-rich league after completing the two-year termination. Chennai Super Kings along with Rajasthan Royals were barred from the IPL for the past two editions because of corruption and fixing allegations against their respective owners.
"I'm happy I'll be bowling to (MS) Dhoni in the nets rather than in a match like I have been," Mitchell Santner was quoted as saying by the CSK website.
"I'm definitely looking forward to joining the culture at CSK, talking to and playing alongside experienced players such as skipper Dhoni, (Suresh) Raina and (Ravindra) Jadeja in a great team environment," he further added.
Having made his international debut back in 2015, Santner has toured India quite a few times. Talking about his experience of touring the craziest cricketing nation, the left-arm spinner said: "I've been lucky enough to play in India in all three formats and have had some reasonable success along the way against some of the best players going around, so I'm looking to draw on some of that experience in the upcoming IPL."
"I enjoy bowling in India because the conditions can benefit spinners on some slower wickets and playing in front of packed out stadiums full of fans is also something you don't get back home," he continued.
During the recently held IPL auction, Santer was picked by Chennai Super Kings for INR 50 lakhs. It will be his first experience to play in the cash-rich league.
As far as Mitchell Santner’s international career is concerned – the lanky spinner has scalped 34 wickets in 17 Tests besides claiming 56 ODI wickets in 48 matches. He has also proved his mettle in the Twenty-20 internationals, picking up 28 wickets in 26 games at an average and economy-rate of 21.10 and 7.10 respectively.
