IND vs NZ 4th T20I: Glenn Phillips, Jacob Duffy Star as New Zealand Hand India Second-Biggest T20I Defeat

Auckland, October 30: New Zealand bounced back emphatically after three consecutive defeats to beat India by 87 runs in the fourth T20 International at Eden Park on Friday (October 30).

After posting a mammoth 259/7, their highest-ever T20I total, the hosts produced a clinical bowling performance to restrict India to 172/9 in 20 overs, and registered their biggest-ever T20I win over the Indians. It was India's second biggest defeat in terms of margin of runs.

Glenn Phillips led New Zealand's batting assault with a sensational 49-ball 107, while Michael Bracewell provided the perfect support with a blistering 65 off just 25 deliveries. Their destructive partnership put India under enormous pressure from the start as the visitors struggled to adapt to the dimensions of Eden Park.

India's batting response in a record run chase was equally disappointing, with the top order collapsing and the middle order failing to produce a meaningful recovery. The Indians made a change to their playing eleven as fit-again Ishan Kishan replaced Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Samson and Abhishek opened innings for the visitors but Samson and Kishan were dismissed cheaply, putting their team under pressure.

Tilak Varma emerged as India's highest scorer with 35, but no other batter managed to cross the 30-run mark, summing up the visitors' struggles in the daunting chase.

Jacob Duffy led New Zealand's bowling effort with four wickets, while captain Mitchell Santner picked up two important scalps to dismantle India's middle order.

India Lose Two Wickets in First Over, Chase Goes Off Track

Chasing 260, India needed a flying start but suffered a disastrous opening over, losing Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan with just four runs on the board. Samson fell for four off two balls before Jacob Duffy dismissed Kishan for a duck.

The early setbacks left India struggling to keep up with the required run rate. Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer attempted to revive the chase, scoring 27 off 15 and 22 off 11 balls respectively, but neither could convert the start into a substantial contribution.

India managed just 61 runs for the loss of four wickets in the powerplay, effectively allowing New Zealand to seize control of the contest.

The visitors continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with half their side back in the pavilion inside the first 10 overs. Tilak Varma offered some resistance with 35, but the lack of support from the other end meant India never threatened the target.

Naman Dhir chipped in with 28 off 13 deliveries, but his late effort was insufficient to revive the chase. With no other Indian batter crossing 30, the visitors eventually finished at 172/9, suffering a heavy 87-run defeat.

Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell Power New Zealand to 259

Earlier, India captain won the toss and elected to bowl, but the decision did not go according to plan as New Zealand's batters took full advantage of the conditions.

Phillips produced a magnificent innings, smashing six fours and 10 sixes during his 107-run knock. He accelerated brilliantly after New Zealand lost early wickets, taking the attack to India's bowlers and dominating the middle and death overs.

Bracewell was equally destructive, hammering four fours and six sixes in his 25-ball 65. The pair added 115 runs for the fifth wicket in just 41 deliveries, completely shifting the momentum in New Zealand's favour.

Their partnership propelled the hosts past 250, with New Zealand eventually finishing at 259/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

India's bowlers struggled to find their lines and lengths, allowing the New Zealand batters to exploit the dimensions of Eden Park. Mayank Yadav picked up three wickets, while Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel claimed one each.

Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner Lead New Zealand's Bowling Charge

India's response never gathered momentum after the opening-over double blow. Duffy was particularly impressive, getting his lengths right and exploiting the pressure on the Indian batters to finish with figures of 4/23 in four overs.

Matthew Fisher provided valuable support with two wickets, while Adam Milne picked up one.

Santner then tightened the screws with his variations in pace, dismissing Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the same over to leave India reeling at 89/6.

The New Zealand captain's ability to vary his pace and deny the Indian middle order any scoring momentum ensured there was no way back for the visitors.

The 87-run defeat will be a significant setback for India, particularly after their strong start to the series. New Zealand, meanwhile, will take considerable confidence from a performance that showcased their batting firepower and bowling discipline.