Auckland, October 2026 : Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell produced explosive batting performances to power New Zealand to a record-breaking 259/7 against India in the fourth T20 International at Eden Park on Friday. Phillips struck a magnificent 107 off just 49 deliveries, while Bracewell smashed 65 off 25 balls as the hosts registered their highest-ever total in T20 Internationals and the highest score by any team against India in the format.
The 259-run total surpassed New Zealand's previous best of 254/5, which they had recorded against Scotland four years ago. It also eclipsed England's 257/3 against India in Southampton earlier this year, making it the highest T20I total conceded by the Indian team.
The Indian bowling attack endured a difficult evening as the New Zealand batters launched an extraordinary assault, particularly during the middle and death overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy conceded 32 runs in the 16th over, while Axar Patel, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav also came under sustained pressure.
For India, Mayank was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 3/48 in his four overs on his return to the playing XI. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Arshdeep, meanwhile, achieved a significant personal milestone by becoming the first Indian bowler to complete 150 wickets in T20 Internationals.
The highlight of New Zealand's innings was the breathtaking 115-run partnership between Phillips and Bracewell for the fifth wicket, which came off just 40 deliveries. Their counter-attacking approach completely changed the complexion of the innings and propelled the hosts towards an imposing total.
India won the toss and elected to bowl, with captain Shreyas Iyer winning his fourth consecutive toss of the series. The visitors made two changes to their playing XI, bringing back Mayank Yadav and Ishan Kishan in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
India made an encouraging start when Mayank dismissed Tim Seifert in the opening over. The New Zealand opener attempted an uppercut but mistimed the shot, sending the ball towards third man, where Prince Yadav completed a comfortable catch.
However, Daryl Mitchell briefly threatened to take the game away from India. The batter, who had scored a half-century in the previous match, attacked Mayank in the third over, smashing the pacer for two sixes and two boundaries. Mayank responded with a fuller delivery that trapped Mitchell leg-before-wicket. The batter unsuccessfully reviewed the decision and departed after scoring 24 off just nine balls.
Finn Allen then joined Phillips in the middle, and the pair began rebuilding the innings. Both batters attacked the Indian bowlers during the powerplay, with 14 runs coming off Prince Yadav's over. New Zealand finished the first six overs at 67/2, putting themselves in a strong position.
Allen continued his aggressive approach against Axar Patel, hitting a boundary and two sixes in the eighth over. However, the Indian spinner eventually outsmarted the opener with a short delivery outside his hitting arc. Allen attempted to attack but found the fielder at extra cover and departed for 31 off 17 balls.
India briefly regained control through economical bowling. Axar conceded just five runs in his next over, while Mayank returned to dismiss Bevon Jacobs in the 11th over. A short delivery forced Jacobs into a mistimed shot, which was comfortably caught by Arshdeep Singh at mid-wicket.
The breakthrough, however, brought little relief for India as Phillips and Bracewell launched a spectacular counterattack.
The pair welcomed off-spinner Naman Dhir with 16 runs in the 12th over before collecting another 18 against Prince Yadav in the following over. Phillips reached his third half-century of the series as New Zealand accelerated towards a massive total.
Bracewell then targeted Axar, smashing three boundaries and a six in the 14th over. The New Zealand all-rounder displayed remarkable power and timing, putting the Indian bowlers under immense pressure.
The 16th over proved particularly damaging for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had already conceded 19 runs in his first two overs, was taken apart by Phillips. The right-hander smashed four consecutive sixes in an over that yielded 32 runs, including a no-ball, giving New Zealand a massive boost.
Mayank also suffered during his final over, conceding 20 runs in the 17th. Having taken two wickets earlier and made a strong comeback, the fast bowler was unable to contain the onslaught.
Bracewell completed his third T20I half-century in just 19 deliveries, registering the joint-second-fastest half-century by a batter against India in the format.
Prince Yadav eventually ended the dangerous partnership in the 18th over when Bracewell attempted a lap shot but was struck on the pads by a fuller delivery. The umpire raised his finger, and Bracewell's unsuccessful review resulted in his dismissal for a blistering 65 off 25 balls.
Prince bowled an impressive over under pressure, conceding only six runs while using variations effectively.
At the other end, Phillips continued his extraordinary innings, reaching his third T20I century in just 46 balls. His performance further strengthened his position as the leading batter of the series, having earlier scored an unbeaten 82 and 70 in the opening matches.
Phillips was finally dismissed in the last over when he miscued a lofted drive off Nitish Kumar Reddy. Abhishek Sharma completed the catch at deep extra cover. However, New Zealand ensured a strong finish, with Nathan Smith hitting a boundary off the final delivery to take the hosts to 259/7.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 259/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 107, Michael Bracewell 65, Finn Allen 31; Mayank Yadav 3/48, Arshdeep Singh 1/38) against India.
