SportsPosted at: Oct 30 2026 5:57PM


We fell short in our bowling: Shreyas Iyer after India’s 87-run loss

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that his side’s bowling fell short in the fourth T20 International against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday, with the hosts’ 87-run victory exposing areas that need attention ahead of the final match of the series.

New Zealand, who had already conceded the series after losing the first three matches, bounced back with a commanding batting display to post 259 for seven. Glenn Phillips led the charge with a blistering 107 off 49 balls, while Michael Bracewell hammered 65 off just 25 deliveries.

Phillips took 32 runs off Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 16th over, smashing four consecutive sixes. The Phillips-Bracewell assault produced 16 of New Zealand's 20 sixes in the innings and left the Indian bowlers with few answers.
Reflecting on the defeat, Iyer felt India lost control during the powerplay, allowing the New Zealand batters to seize the initiative.
He said the team needed to review its performance and work out how to respond in the final game.

“We fell short in our bowling. The power play, especially in the third over, they got the momentum thereon. Exceptional shots from Glenn, some phenomenal shots, pure bliss. Important to retrospect, we have to see how to bounce back. I feel we can go back to the drawing board and execute,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

The India skipper also pointed to the unusual dimensions of Eden Park, one of the smaller grounds on the T20 circuit, and the challenge it posed for players unfamiliar with the venue.
“We knew the dimensions were going to be like this. First time for some of them. Not easy to adapt. The way they executed in the first three games was magnificent. Great learning curve.”

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was pleased with the way his bowlers made early inroads, particularly during the powerplay, to put India under pressure in the chase.

“With the wind, it didn't dew up. You have to bowl well against these guys and we did. We saw a couple fly through at the start. The guys bashed through and we managed to take wickets in the powerplay. There is a little on the wicket, which is what we want. On a wicket that bounces, it is quite good," Santner said.

He also credited Bracewell's aggressive contribution for helping New Zealand push their total close to 260.

“The way he came in, from ball one to keep going to push the score to 260... nice to see Beasty get runs, he's striking well in the nets. We made some tough options of hitting down the ground against those lengths. Duff nailing hard lengths and getting two to start is nice."
Phillips, who struck his third T20I century during the innings, said the surface at Eden Park offered excellent conditions for batting and allowed him to play his natural attacking game.

“It was fabulous. A really good pitch to bat on. We made the most of it. Nice to get a few runs and contribute (to the winning cause).You make the purple patch last,” he said, referring to his consistent show in the ongoing series.
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