Eden Park, Auckland:Glenn Phillips produced a breathtaking century as New Zealand defeated India by 87 runs in the fourth T20I at Eden Park, Auckland, on October 30. Phillips' explosive innings, combined with a powerful contribution from Michael Bracewell, helped the hosts post 259/7 before restricting India to 172/9 in their 20 overs.
Despite the defeat, India retain a 3-1 lead in the five-match series, with one match remaining.
Glenn Phillips leads New Zealand's batting assault
After India won the toss and elected to bowl, New Zealand made an aggressive start but lost Tim Seifert early for three. Daryl Mitchell and Finn Allen attempted to accelerate the scoring, with Allen contributing 31 off 17 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes. Mitchell added 24 from just nine balls before falling to Mayank Yadav.
Bevon Jacobs scored seven before Mayank claimed his third wicket, leaving New Zealand looking for a substantial partnership in the middle overs.
Phillips then took control of the innings with an outstanding display of power hitting. The right-hander smashed 107 off 49 deliveries, striking six fours and 10 sixes at a strike rate of 218.37. He reached his century in just 46 balls, registering one of the fastest hundreds in New Zealand's T20I history.
His innings was particularly significant as he became one of the most successful middle-order century-makers in T20I cricket. Phillips now has three T20I centuries batting at number four or lower, joining Suryakumar Yadav, while Glenn Maxwell leads the list with four.
Phillips and Bracewell dismantle India's bowling attack
The defining partnership of the innings came when Phillips joined Michael Bracewell. The pair added 115 runs from just 40 deliveries, scoring at an extraordinary rate of 16.82 runs per over.
Bracewell played an equally destructive role, scoring 65 off 25 balls with four fours and six sixes. Their partnership shifted the momentum firmly towards New Zealand and left India's bowlers searching for answers.
Phillips eventually departed after completing his century, while Bracewell also fell after delivering a significant contribution. Mitchell Santner managed five runs before being dismissed by Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand finished on 259/7, with Adam Milne unbeaten on one and Nathan Smith on six. The innings also featured 19 sixes, the highest number hit by New Zealand in a T20I innings.
Mayank Yadav was India's leading wicket-taker with 3/48 from four overs. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel claimed one wicket apiece. However, the Indian attack struggled to contain New Zealand's aggressive batting throughout the innings.
India collapse under pressure in 260-run chase
Chasing 260 for victory, India suffered an early collapse that put them under immediate pressure. Jacob Duffy struck early, dismissing Sanju Samson for four and Ishan Kishan for a duck.
Abhishek Sharma contributed 27 off 15 deliveries, but India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Shreyas Iyer scored 22 from 11 balls, while Axar Patel managed seven.
Nitish Kumar Reddy added 21 off 10 deliveries, but New Zealand maintained control of the chase through disciplined bowling and regular breakthroughs.
Tilak Varma top-scored for India with 35 off 35 balls. Naman Dhir provided a late attacking contribution, scoring 28 off 13 deliveries, while Prince Yadav remained unbeaten on 18 from 17 balls. Mayank Yadav finished unbeaten on three.
India eventually reached 172/9 in their allotted 20 overs, falling 87 runs short of the target.
Duffy led New Zealand's bowling attack with four wickets for 23 runs. Mitchell Santner claimed two wickets, while Matthew Fisher also picked up two. Adam Milne finished with one wicket.
India retain series advantage
New Zealand's victory reduced India's lead to 3-1 in the five-match T20I series. Phillips' outstanding century and the 115-run partnership with Bracewell proved decisive, while Duffy's opening-over breakthroughs ensured India never established control of the chase.
New Zealand will take confidence from the comprehensive victory as both teams turn their attention to the fifth and final T20I.
