SportsPosted at: Oct 30 2026 4:59PM


Phillips' 107 powers NZ to 87-run rout of India, hosts pull one back in series

Auckland, Oct 30 (UNI) Glenn Phillips' breathtaking century and Michael Bracewell's explosive half-century powered New Zealand to an emphatic 87-run victory over India in the fourth T20 International at Eden Park here on Friday, as the hosts successfully defended a mammoth 259 for seven and pulled one match back in the five-match series.
Chasing an imposing 260, India were bowled out for 172, suffering a crushing defeat after losing their top order cheaply and never recovering from the early blows.
Phillips smashed 107 off just 49 balls, including six fours and 10 sixes, while Bracewell hammered 65 off 25 deliveries as New Zealand's batsmen tore into the Indian bowling attack after being asked to bat.
The hosts scored at a staggering 12.95 runs per over, with Phillips and Bracewell stitching together a devastating 115-run partnership for the fifth wicket off just 40 balls.
Phillips was fortunate to survive a chance in the 14th over when Naman Dhir misjudged a catch at long-off off Axar Patel. The reprieve proved costly as Phillips launched a brutal assault on Nitish Kumar Reddy, taking 32 runs off the 16th over.
He brought up his century in the 19th over with a six off Arshdeep Singh before falling for 107, caught by Abhishek Sharma off Nitish Reddy. Bracewell had earlier reached his half-century in just 19 balls before being dismissed for 65.
New Zealand also had a few anxious moments in the field, dropping three chances during India's chase. Bevon Jacobs put down Nitish Reddy in the seventh over after a top-edge off Nathan Smith, though the Indian batsman could manage only 21.
Jacobs then failed to hold a difficult chance offered by Naman Dhir at deep cover in the 11th over, with the ball racing over the boundary for six.
Matthew Fisher also dropped Prince Yadav in the 15th over after the Indian tailender top-edged a slog-sweep off skipper Mitchell Santner.
India's chase began disastrously as Jacob Duffy struck twice in the opening over, removing Sanju Samson (4) and Ishan Kishan (0). Matthew Fisher then dismissed Abhishek Sharma for 27, caught by Santner.
Captain Shreyas Iyer scored 22 off 11 balls but was bowled by Adam Milne as New Zealand tightened their grip during the powerplay.
Nitish Reddy briefly counter-attacked with 21 off 10 balls, while Naman Dhir contributed 28 off 13 deliveries. However, both fell in quick succession, with Santner and Duffy leading New Zealand's middle-order demolition.
Santner claimed two wickets in the same over, dismissing Nitish and Axar Patel (7). Duffy then removed Dhir and Arshdeep Singh in consecutive deliveries.
Tilak Varma offered some resistance with 35 off 35 balls, hitting three sixes, but his dismissal in the 19th over, caught by Tim Seifert off Fisher, effectively ended India's hopes.
Prince Yadav provided some late entertainment with a six in the final over, but the result was already beyond doubt.
Mayank Yadav was India's most successful bowler with three wickets for 48 runs, while Nitish Reddy conceded 64 runs in his four overs.
New Zealand's commanding batting display, backed by India's expensive bowling, sealed an 87-run victory and gave the hosts a much-needed reprieve in the series.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Phillips' 107 powers NZ to 87-run rout of India# hosts pull one back in series
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