‘I ordered Swiggy once this trip and it didn’t work out’: Mitchell Santner on his health after ‘dodgy burger’ incident in T20 World Cup

Mitchell Santner and dodgy burgers – not a combination New Zealand fans wanted to hear during the T20 World Cup! It seems even international cricketers aren't immune to the perils of questionable takeout. Santner, a vital cog in the Black Caps' T20 machine, revealed a less-than-ideal culinary experience hampered his preparation during the tournament.

Santner's been candid about feeling under the weather at times during the T20 World Cup. He confessed to ordering from Swiggy once during the trip, and, well, it didn't quite go to plan. While he didn't explicitly blame the burger, the implication was clear: his stomach wasn't singing the same tune as his bowling arm. For a player whose role is so crucial to New Zealand's balance, any disruption to his fitness is a major concern. He is a bowler who can change his pace, vary his trajectory and also bat lower down the order.

Now, let's be honest, a slightly off-colour Santner is still better than many spinners out there. But New Zealand needed him firing on all cylinders if they wanted to make a serious impact in the tournament. What's fascinating is how these seemingly small things can derail even the most meticulous plans. A dodgy burger – who would have thought? It just goes to show the fine margins at this level.

The numbers tell a story, albeit a slightly incomplete one. Santner’s performances were decent, but perhaps not quite at the level we've come to expect. Was it the burger? Was it the pressure? Was it just cricket? It's probably a combination of all three. But when you see a seasoned campaigner like Santner not quite hitting his straps, you have to wonder if something was amiss behind the scenes.

This incident also highlights the pressures players face during these intense tournaments. They're living in bubbles, often relying on external food sources, and the risk of contamination is always there. Maybe the New Zealand team management will be extra cautious about food safety during the next big tournament – perhaps even hiring their own personal chef!

Looking ahead, Santner remains a key figure for New Zealand in both white-ball formats. This T20 World Cup experience, burger incident and all, will hopefully serve as a learning curve. He's a smart cricketer, and I expect him to come back stronger. As for New Zealand, they'll be looking to rebuild and come back stronger in the next major tournament, learning from the lessons of this campaign. And perhaps, just perhaps, sticking to the team hotel food! We will be watching Santner's performance closely in the lead-up to the next T20 World Cup, looking for signs that he's back to his best, both on and off the field.