Phillips Century Powers New Zealand to 87-Run Win Over India in Fourth T20I

Glenn Phillips struck a blistering century as New Zealand ended India’s unbeaten run in their Twenty20 series, winning the fourth match by 87 runs at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, 30 October 2026.

New Zealand, sent in to bat after India won the toss, piled up 259 for 7 in their 20 overs before bowling India out for 172 for 9. It was the hosts’ first victory of the five-match series, although India had already sealed the series by winning the first three games.

FAKTA

• Match: New Zealand vs India, fourth T20I, Eden Park, Auckland, 30 October 2026
• Result: New Zealand 259 for 7 beat India 172 for 9 by 87 runs
• Top scorers: Glenn Phillips 107 off 49 balls; Michael Bracewell 65 off 25 balls; Tilak Varma 35
• Best bowling: Jacob Duffy 4 for 23; Mayank Yadav 3 for 48
• Series: India lead 3-1, with the final match in Hamilton on 1 November 2026
• Record: New Zealand’s 259 for 7 is their highest total in T20 internationals

Glenn Phillips century turns the match

Phillips arrived at the crease with New Zealand on 112 for 4 in the 11th over, and the game still in the balance. He reached his fifty off 31 balls and then accelerated sharply, striking six fours and 10 sixes on his way to 107 off 49 balls. His hundred came off 46 balls, his third in the format.

One over in the later stages of the innings summed up the damage: Phillips hit four sixes in a row off Nitish Kumar Reddy as New Zealand surged past 200 in the 16th over. By the end of the innings, the total of 259 for 7 had passed New Zealand’s previous T20 international best of 254 for 5 against Scotland in 2022, and it was also the highest total ever made against India in the format.

Michael Bracewell played the perfect supporting role. His 65 off only 25 balls gave the innings its second burst of power, and the pair added 115 runs together for the fifth wicket. Earlier, Finn Allen had given the hosts a brisk start with 31, while Mayank Yadav was the most successful Indian bowler with 3 for 48.

New Zealand’s bowlers backed up a record batting display to close out a comfortable win at Eden Park.

Duffy strikes early as India chase fades

Chasing 260, India needed a fast start. Instead, they lost both openers in the first over. Jacob Duffy removed Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, leaving India on 4 for 2, and the visitors never recovered their footing in the chase.

Tilak Varma top-scored with 35, and Naman Dhir made 28, but no Indian batter was able to build a partnership long enough to put pressure back on New Zealand. Duffy finished with 4 for 23, while Mitchell Santner took 2 for 24.

The margin of victory reflected how one-sided the second half of the match became. India, who had dominated the first three matches of the series, were kept to 172 for 9 from their full 20 overs.

What the result means for the series

The win does not change the destination of the series trophy: India lead 3-1 and cannot be caught. But it does change the story of the tour. New Zealand avoided a clean sweep, restored some pride in front of their home crowd, and gave themselves momentum heading into the final match.

The fifth and final T20 international takes place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, 1 November, before the two sides meet in a five-match one-day international series. For New Zealand, the Auckland win was proof that their batting, when it fires, can match anyone. For India, it was a reminder that even a series already won still has to be finished properly.

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