Mitchell Santner Rejects BBL Offer, Reveals India Link Behind Decision

Mitchell Santner during IPL 2026 for Mumbai Indians (Source: AFP Photos)New Zealand T20I and ODI captain Mitchell Santner confirmed that he had a lucrative offer from the Big Bash League (BBL) for the upcoming season, but he eventually rejected the offer. Santner, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, later revealed exactly why he decided to do that.Cricket Australia (CA) earlier made it clear that they would go back to an open-market formula, a process they had used until 2022. Any BBL team can approach a player directly and negotiate to make it happen.However, Santner decided not to move further to confirm his participation in BBL 26/27.Mitchell Santner Turns Down Adelaide StrikersAs reported by News Corp, Santner was approached by Adelaide Strikers, who earlier signed Ben Stokes with a blockbuster BBL deal. The Kiwi all-rounder had an opportunity to play alongside Stokes, but he snubbed the idea, as he confirmed himself.The 34-year-old, who was in action during New Zealand’s third Test against England in Nottingham, has high hopes of playing Test cricket against India and Australia, which are coming up."The offer was good; I'm not going to lie. They knew it would have to be a good offer for me to entertain it, with contracting and what would come up,” Santner told the New Zealand Herald.Also Read: Adam Zampa Sets Subtle BBL Record With Hobart Hurricanes Switch"When you look ahead to the summer we've got, India here for white ball and Tests and Australia away - there's not many bigger than that - it's quite an exciting time. I'd like to still be part of that," he added.Santner Explains Why Central Contract MattersFurthermore, Santner highlighted why New Zealand’s Central Contract is more important than anything else. If he had signed for BBL 26/27, he might have had to skip India vs New Zealand Tests and Australia vs New Zealand Tests, which could eventually cost him his Central Contract.Besides, Santner emphasised his duty as New Zealand's white-ball captain, and there are other ICC events lining up for him and the country."I don't want to give up captaincy. If that was part of the deal, it was a no-brainer for me. There were chats that it could have worked. But for me, sitting without a central contract and trying to captain, I don't know if that would sit right at this stage,” Santner stated."We've got a World Cup next year, a T20 World Cup in New Zealand the year after. That's something I still want to be part of. And if I'm still leading the team then, awesome."BBL Schedule Clashes With New Zealand’s Australia & India SeriesBBL 26/27 will begin on December 12 and run until January 26. India's tour of New Zealand, which will also include two Tests, will run from November 19 to December 1.Meanwhile, Australia’s tour of New Zealand will have four Tests, beginning on December 9 and finishing on January 8. So, these series will automatically clash with BBL’s schedule for the upcoming season, leaving Santner no choice but to skip it.Also Read: PCB Fixes Imam-ul-Haq, Rizwan, Salman Agha's Cricket Comeback After Pakistan Snub