Auckland, October 2026 : New Zealand bounced back in style as Glenn Phillips' blistering century and Jacob Duffy's four-wicket haul powered the hosts to a massive 87-run victory over India in the fourth T20 International at Eden Park on Friday. Phillips smashed 107 off 49 deliveries, while Michael Bracewell contributed a quickfire 65 off 25 balls to help New Zealand post a record 259/7 before their bowlers restricted India to 172/9.
Despite the defeat, India retained an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, having won the first three encounters. The victory was New Zealand's first in the ongoing series and provided a strong response after India's dominance in the earlier matches.
New Zealand's total was their highest-ever in T20 Internationals and the highest scored by any team against India in the format. The hosts surpassed their previous best of 254/5 against Scotland, while also going past England's 257/3 against India in Southampton earlier this year.
The foundation of the record-breaking innings was laid by Phillips and Bracewell, who stitched together a remarkable 115-run partnership for the fifth wicket off just 40 deliveries. Their explosive batting turned the contest decisively in New Zealand's favour.
In reply, India struggled to cope with the enormous target as Duffy struck twice in the opening over to leave the visitors in serious trouble. The New Zealand pacer dismissed Sanju Samson for four and returning batter Ishan Kishan for a duck, delivering an early blow to India's chase.
Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer attempted to rebuild the innings through aggressive batting. Abhishek scored 27 before mistiming a shot to mid-off in the fifth over, giving Matthew Fisher his first wicket. Shreyas followed in the next over, getting bowled by Adam Milne for 22 as India ended the powerplay struggling at 61/4.
Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma tried to revive the chase, but the mounting required run rate made their task increasingly difficult. Naman scored 28 and looked to accelerate the scoring before Duffy dismissed him in the 12th over. Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Smith combined brilliantly near the deep mid-wicket boundary to complete an impressive tag-team catch.
Duffy struck again when Arshdeep Singh was dismissed for a golden duck, caught at deep point. His four-wicket performance proved crucial in preventing India from building any meaningful partnership.
Tilak continued to fight at the other end, finding occasional boundaries, but the required rate had climbed to nearly 25 runs per over before the death overs. He eventually departed for 35 off 35 deliveries in the penultimate over when he mistimed a shot. Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert completed a well-judged running and diving catch.
Prince Yadav provided some late entertainment with an edged boundary in the 19th over and a six in the final over. However, the target was well beyond India's reach, and the visitors finished at 172/9.
Earlier, New Zealand's innings was dominated by Phillips, who registered his third T20I century. He continued his outstanding form in the series after scoring an unbeaten 82 and 70 in the opening matches. His 107-run knock, featuring powerful hitting and calculated aggression, kept the Indian bowlers under constant pressure.
Bracewell complemented him perfectly, reaching his half-century in just 19 deliveries. Their partnership dismantled India's bowling plans, particularly during the middle and death overs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy endured a particularly difficult outing, conceding 32 runs in the 16th over as Phillips smashed four consecutive sixes. Mayank Yadav also conceded 20 runs in his final over despite taking three wickets.
For India, Mayank was the leading wicket-taker with figures of 3/48, while Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket apiece. Arshdeep also achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in T20 Internationals.
New Zealand's comprehensive victory has reduced the series margin to 3-1, with India having already secured the series. The fifth and final T20I will provide both teams another opportunity to finish the series on a positive note.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 259/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 107, Michael Bracewell 65; Mayank Yadav 3/48, Arshdeep Singh 1/38) beat India 172/9 (Tilak Varma 35, Naman Dhir 28; Jacob Duffy 4/23, Mitchell Santner 2/24) by 87 runs.
