If Santner’s condition changes, he will be withdrawn from the matchday squad to recover fully and Mitchell will likely captain in his place.

Post-match, Santner joked about leaving the field. “I was probably more just angry I dropped the catch,” he told Sky Sport, adding: “It was a bit of whiplash there, but it’s okay.”

Thursday’s loss came after the Black Caps posted 225-4 from 20 overs, before India chased it down with four wickets and two balls to spare, following a rapid start from their opening pair.

After Saturday’s second game, the series will head north to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton, before five more one-day internationals and two tests to complete India’s all-format tour.

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.