Ten sixes. Forty-nine balls. One very long evening for India’s bowlers in the NZ vs IND 4th T20I.
India arrived at Eden Park on Friday having already sealed the series 3-0. New Zealand arrived with something to prove. By the end of the night, Glenn Phillips had made sure the hosts walked off with a thumping 87-run win – their first of the series.
⚡ Key Highlights
- Glenn Phillips: 107 off 49 balls (6 fours, 10 sixes)
- Michael Bracewell: 65 off 25 balls
- Jacob Duffy: 4 wickets for 23 runs
- New Zealand 259/7 – India 172/9
- India still lead the five-match series 3-1
The Toss That Backfired
Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl. On paper, it made sense – chase on a small ground, keep things simple.
Then Phillips walked in.
He didn’t just score runs, he bullied the ball out of the park. Ten times it sailed over the rope. Every time India looked like slowing things down, another one disappeared into the Auckland night.
Ten sixes in a 49-ball hundred – Phillips didn’t just bat, he put on a show.
And just when India thought they had survived the storm, Michael Bracewell joined the party with 65 off only 25 balls. The two together took New Zealand to a monster 259/7.
One Bright Spot for India
It wasn’t all bad news. Young speedster Mayank Yadav grabbed 3 wickets, including the early scalps of Tim Seifert and Daryl Mitchell. On a night when bowlers were getting hammered, he kept attacking.
A Chase That Never Got Going
Chasing 260 needs a flying start. India didn’t get one.
Wickets kept falling at the wrong moments, and nobody could stay long enough to build a partnership. Tilak Varma (35 off 32) and Naman Dhir (28 off 13) tried to fight back, but the target was simply too big.
Jacob Duffy was the man who shut the door. His 4/23 was sharp, accurate and exactly what New Zealand needed. Skipper Mitchell Santner (2/24) and Matthew Fisher (2/40) chipped in too.
Scorecard at a Glance
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 259/7 (20 ov) | Glenn Phillips 107 (49) |
| India | 172/9 (20 ov) | Tilak Varma 35 (32) |
| Best Bowling | — | Jacob Duffy 4/23 |
Should India Be Worried?
Not really. India had already locked up the series and rested a couple of players – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sat this one out. Losing a dead rubber happens.
But conceding 259 will sting. Expect the team management to want a sharper bowling effort in the final game.
FAQs
Who won the 4th T20I between New Zealand and India?
New Zealand won by 87 runs at Eden Park, Auckland.
How many sixes did Glenn Phillips hit?
Phillips hit 10 sixes and 6 fours in his 107 off 49 balls.
What is the series score now?
India lead the five-match T20I series 3-1.
When is the 5th T20I?
The final match is on November 1 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Who will win the final game in Hamilton? Tell us in the comments! 👇
Match facts as reported by ANI and other agencies.
