Christchurch, Oct 2026 : Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs struck impressive half-centuries to help New Zealand recover from an early collapse and post 180/5 in 20 overs against India in the second T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Saturday.
Phillips smashed 70 off 43 deliveries, while Jacobs contributed 58 off 46 balls as the duo stitched together a crucial 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their stand rescued the hosts after India reduced them to 41/3 in 5.2 overs, putting the New Zealand batting line-up under considerable pressure.
The match was played on the same pitch that hosted the series opener, but the used surface offered considerably more assistance to the bowlers. Indian pacers exploited the conditions with disciplined hard-length deliveries, making it difficult for the New Zealand batters to play their attacking shots freely.
However, Phillips and Jacobs showed patience during the rebuilding phase before accelerating in the middle overs to give the hosts a competitive total.
India Pacers Strike Early in Powerplay
India made an impressive start with the ball, applying pressure through accurate bowling and effective use of short and good-length deliveries.
Arshdeep Singh provided the first breakthrough in the second over, dismissing Tim Seifert after the New Zealand batter miscued an aggressive shot. Tilak Varma completed the catch at cover to leave the hosts struggling early in their innings.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, making his return to the Indian side, struck in the following over. Daryl Mitchell departed for six after edging a delivery that produced a leading edge, with Tilak taking another catch at extra cover.
Prince Yadav added to New Zealand's troubles by dismissing Finn Allen in the final over of the powerplay, bowling the opener to leave the hosts at 43/3.
India's bowlers executed their plans effectively, relying on hard lengths rather than offering too many full deliveries that the New Zealand batters could exploit.
The early wickets gave India control of the innings, but Phillips and Jacobs gradually changed the course of the match.
Phillips and Jacobs Build Match-Rescuing Partnership
With New Zealand under pressure, Phillips and Jacobs focused on rebuilding the innings through sensible shot selection and steady running between the wickets.
The pair brought up their 50-run partnership in 43 balls, ensuring the scoreboard continued to move despite the assistance available to India's bowlers from the surface.
India introduced spin through Axar Patel and Naman Dhir, but the New Zealand batters gradually found opportunities to attack. Whenever the Indian bowlers missed their intended lengths, Phillips and Jacobs capitalised.
The scoring rate increased during the middle overs, with Axar conceding 11 runs in the 15th over, followed by an expensive 16th over in which Bhuvneshwar gave away 18 runs. Prince Yadav conceded another 12 in the 17th over.
Phillips reached his half-century from 33 balls, registering his second consecutive fifty after scoring one in the opening T20I. Jacobs also completed his half-century, taking 40 deliveries to reach the milestone.
Jacobs benefited from a missed opportunity when India captain Shreyas Iyer dropped him off Prince Yadav in the 11th over. The reprieve proved costly as the batter continued to build his innings alongside Phillips.
Their 116-run stand off 76 balls was a significant achievement, becoming New Zealand's first century partnership for the fourth or lower wicket against India in men's T20 internationals. It surpassed the previous record of 99 runs shared by Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor at Mount Maunganui in 2020.
India Fight Back in Death Overs
India eventually broke the partnership in the 18th over when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phillips for 70. Naman Dhir completed the catch at deep point, ending the batter's entertaining innings, which had provided the backbone of New Zealand's recovery.
Nitish Kumar Reddy then removed Jacobs, who departed for 58 after being caught at long-off by Axar Patel off a full toss.
With two set batters dismissed, New Zealand looked to finish strongly through captain Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell. Bracewell struck a couple of boundaries to help the hosts reach 180/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
For India, Arshdeep Singh was the leading wicket-taker with figures of 2/33. Prince Yadav returned 1/30, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Nitish Kumar Reddy also claimed a wicket each.
Despite India's strong start and disciplined bowling in the powerplay, Phillips and Jacobs ensured New Zealand recovered to post a challenging total in the second T20I.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 180/5 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 70, Bevon Jacobs 58; Arshdeep Singh 2/33, Prince Yadav 1/30) against India.
