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Nita Ambani’s Mumbai Indians had an impressive run in the IPL 2025 season. The five-time champions qualified for the Playoffs but failed to reach the final. Hardik Pandya-led MI lost to Punjab Kings in the Qualifier 2 after beating Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner was one of the top performers for Nita Ambani’s MI after joining the side from Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 season. Santner continued his impressive season after leading New Zealand to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final before losing to Team India in the final. Santner has now become the 32nd Test skipper for New Zealand with their regular skipper Tom Latham ruled out of the first Test against Zimbabwe starting on Wednesday in Bulawayo. Latham will be missing the first Test due to shoulder injury. New Zealand opener Latham suffered the injury while fielding during a T20 match for Birmingham earlier this month and has not recovered sufficiently to be included in the eleven on Wednesday. He will remain with the squad with the hope he will be fit for the second Test starting August 7. Who is New Zealand’s new Test skipper? The Black Caps white-ball captain Mitch Santner will lead the team becoming New Zealand’s 32nd men’s Test captain. Santner (30 Test caps) assumes the role fresh off a T20I Tri-Series victory in Harare where New Zealand remained undefeated throughout the five-match series. Black Caps head coach Rob Walter said Latham’s skillset and leadership would be greatly missed. “It’s hugely disappointing for Tom to be missing the first Test as captain but also as an integral part of the team” said Walter. “It’s never great when you lose your captain who’s a world-class opening batter and a great team man but that said we’re going to work really hard to have him available for the second Test. “We’ll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary but at this stage we are hopeful that hell recover in time.” What was Mitchell Santner’s IPL 2025 price? Santner was signed up by Nita Ambani’s Mumbai Indians for Rs 2 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction last year. Walter said the team was in good hands with Santner. “Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad in this recent series. He was excellent from a strategy point of view and he has a strong understanding of the game. “Whilst the format is different he certainly has the respect of the players and will be supported by some highly experienced Test cricketers so I trust that he’s going to do a great job” NZ head coach added. Zimbabwe v New Zealand Test Schedule 1st Test - July 30 - August 3 - Bulawayo 2nd Test - August 7 - August 11 - Bulawayo