Auckland, October 30 (Sports Desk)
New Zealand produced a spectacular batting performance to defeat India by 87 runs in the fourth T20 International at Eden Park, Auckland. A sensational century from Glenn Phillips and an explosive half-century by Michael Bracewell powered the hosts to a record-breaking total of 259/7 in 20 overs. India, in reply, managed 172/9, handing New Zealand their first victory of the five-match series.
India had already secured the series after winning the first three matches, but New Zealand’s emphatic victory reduced the series deficit to 3–1 and prevented a clean sweep.
Glenn Phillips Leads New Zealand’s Record-Breaking Batting Display
After winning the toss, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl first. India made two changes to their playing XI, bringing back Ishan Kishan and fast bowler Mayank Yadav in place of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. New Zealand included Nathan Smith in place of Kyle Jamieson.
New Zealand lost Tim Seifert early for just 3 runs, but Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell provided an aggressive response. Allen scored 31 off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Mitchell contributed 24 off just nine deliveries, striking two fours and two sixes.
The innings then belonged to Glenn Phillips, who delivered a breathtaking performance. He smashed 107 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and 10 sixes, at a strike rate of 218.36. Phillips reached his third T20I century and kept the Indian bowlers under constant pressure.
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At the other end, Michael Bracewell played an equally destructive innings, scoring 65 off just 25 balls, with four boundaries and six sixes. The pair added a remarkable 115 runs for the fifth wicket in only 40 balls, turning a competitive total into a massive one.
Bracewell brought up his half-century in just 19 balls, while Phillips reached his hundred in 46 deliveries. Their partnership proved decisive in taking New Zealand to 259/7, their highest-ever T20I total and the highest score by any team against India in men’s T20 internationals, according to the match reports.
For India, Mayank Yadav was the leading wicket-taker with 3 wickets for 48 runs. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel claimed one wicket each. Arshdeep also reached the milestone of 150 T20I wickets, becoming the first Indian bowler to achieve the feat in the men’s T20I format.
India’s Chase Falls Short
Chasing a challenging target of 260, India needed a strong start, but the enormous asking rate put the visitors under immediate pressure. The Indian batting line-up could not build the partnerships required to stay in contention.
Tilak Varma top-scored for India with 35 runs off 35 balls, but the rest of the batting effort failed to keep pace with the required scoring rate. India eventually finished at 172/9 in 20 overs, falling 87 runs short of the target.
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New Zealand’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the chase, with Jacob Duffy leading the attack. He finished with an impressive 4/23 in four overs, playing a major role in restricting India. The hosts completed a comprehensive victory in front of their home crowd.
Player of the Match: Glenn Phillips
Glenn Phillips was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century of 107 runs from 49 deliveries. His explosive innings, combined with Bracewell’s quick-fire 65, laid the foundation for New Zealand’s commanding victory.
Series Situation: India Lead 3–1
Despite the defeat, India remain in control of the five-match series with a 3–1 lead. New Zealand will look to carry this momentum into the fifth and final T20I, scheduled for November 1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
The fourth T20I will be remembered for Phillips’ magnificent century, Bracewell’s explosive batting and New Zealand’s record-breaking total against India.
Match scorecard highlights
New Zealand – 259/7 (20 overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Phillips | 107 | 49 |
| Michael Bracewell | 65 | 25 |
| Finn Allen | 31 | 17 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 24 | 9 |
India – 172/9 (20 overs)
| Batter / Bowler | Performance |
|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | 35 (35) |
| Jacob Duffy | 4/23 (4) |
| Mayank Yadav | 3/48 (4) |
