Phillips hits 107 as New Zealand crush India by 87 runs at Eden Park

New Zealand finally found a way past India, and they did it in style. Glenn Phillips smashed 107 off 49 balls as the hosts won the fourth Twenty20 international by 87 runs at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, 30 October.

India won the toss and chose to bowl for the fourth match in a row, after winning the first three games of the five-match series by chasing. This time the plan backfired. New Zealand piled up 259 for 7 from their 20 overs, their highest total in Twenty20 internationals and the highest total any team has made against India in the format.

Phillips was the star. He hit 10 sixes on his way to his third Twenty20 international century, reaching three figures in 46 balls. He came to the crease with New Zealand on 34 for 2 in the third over, and after the hosts slipped to 112 for 4, he and Michael Bracewell changed the game. The pair added 115 runs in 40 balls, with Bracewell smashing 65 off 25 balls, including six sixes. New Zealand scored 85 runs in the last five overs.

India’s chase never got going. Jacob Duffy removed Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the opening over, and India kept losing wickets as the required rate climbed. Tilak Varma top-scored with 35, but India finished on 172 for 9. Duffy took 4 for 23, while captain Mitchell Santner took 2 for 24.

The win gave New Zealand their first victory of the series, but India still lead 3-1 and had already secured the series before the match.

Why it matters

India had won the first three matches and looked in control of the series, so this was a reminder of how quickly a Twenty20 game can turn. Phillips’ century set a new record total for New Zealand and showed the hosts could match India’s batting firepower.

New Zealand now go into the finale with momentum instead of facing a 4-0 sweep.

What happens next

The fifth and final Twenty20 international was due to be played in Hamilton on Sunday, 1 November. India will look to finish the series 4-1, while New Zealand will aim to end the tour with back-to-back wins.

Sources

• https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/60879-ton-up-glenn-phillips-helps-new-zealand-crush-india-in-fourth-t20i (Geo Super, via AFP, 30 October 2026)
• https://ianslive.in/4th-t20i-phillips-duffy-guide-nz-to-87-run-win-over-india–20261030163449 (IANS, 30 October 2026)
• https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/glenn-phillips-bats-black-caps-to-win-over-india (NZ Sportswire, 30 October 2026)

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