New Zealand Beats India by 87 Runs in Fourth T20I
Glenn Phillips scores a century and Jacob Duffy takes four wickets to secure New Zealand's first victory of the series in Auckland.
New Zealand secured an 87-run victory over India in the fourth T20I match at Auckland on Friday, claiming their first win of the five-match series. Despite the loss, India maintains a 3-1 lead with one game remaining.
Put into bat first, New Zealand posted a massive total of 259/7 in their 20 overs, marking the highest T20I total ever recorded against India. Glenn Phillips led the charge with a blistering knock of 107 runs off 49 deliveries, featuring six boundaries and 10 towering sixes. Michael Bracewell supported him aggressively, smashing 65 runs from just 25 balls.
The hosts experienced a rocky start after losing early wickets, including Tim Seifert and Daryl Mitchell, to Indian fast bowler Mayank Yadav. However, a crucial 59-run partnership between Phillips and Finn Allen stabilized the innings. Allen contributed 31 runs from 17 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel.
Following Allen's departure, Phillips and Bracewell combined for a destructive 115-run partnership off merely 40 deliveries. The pair heavily targeted the Indian bowling attack, particularly in the later stages of the innings, before Prince Yadav finally removed Bracewell.
Phillips reached his century in dramatic fashion by hitting Arshdeep Singh for a maximum, before eventually falling to Nitish Kumar Reddy in the final over. New Zealand's formidable total left India needing a record chase of 260 runs for victory.
India's reply faltered almost immediately as Jacob Duffy removed both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the opening over. Duffy finished as the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with impressive figures of 4/23, applying constant pressure during the powerplay.
Though Tilak Varma attempted to anchor the innings with a 32-ball 35 and Naman Dhir added a quick 28, India's top and middle orders failed to mount a sustained challenge. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 172 runs in 20 overs, sealing a comprehensive defeat.
The teams will travel to Hamilton for the fifth and final match of the series, scheduled to take place at Seddon Park on Sunday.
Sources
- Sports News | NZ Vs IND, 4th T20I: Phillips, Duffy Help Kiwis Get First Win in Series, Beat India by 87 Runs | LatestLY latestly.com
- Europe's economy brushes off energy shock from Iran war, shows moderate growth in Q3 ca.finance.yahoo.com
- 4th T20I: Centurion Phillips, Bracewell drive NZ to 259/7 against India - OrissaPOST orissapost.com
- India vs New Zealand, 4th T20I Highlights: IND outclassed in heavy defeat as Glenn Phillips, Jacob Duffy star for NZ hindustantimes.com
- India vs New Zealand Live Score: Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell unleash batting carnage in Auckland as NZ post 259/7 timesofindia.indiatimes.com