IPL 2026 Star Player Seen Flying Aircraft and Landing with Perfection, Video Goes Viral

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Gujarat Titans all-rounder and New Zealand Black Caps star Glenn Phillips has once again proved he is a true all-rounder, both on the cricket field and in the cockpit.

A video of the 29-year-old successfully landing a light aircraft at Auckland's Ardmore Aerodrome went viral on social media, showcasing his smooth handling of the controls during a precise technical manoeuvre. Phillips, who joined Gujarat Titans for the IPL in 2025, has long harboured a passion for aviation.

In interviews ahead of his maiden GT season, he confessed, "Yeah, it's a huge passion of mine. If I wasn't playing cricket and I had all the money in the world growing up, I probably would have ended up being a pilot, to be fair. I love being in the air."

Phillips lands Aircraft

He relishes the procedures, radio communications, and the thrill of handling the plane. His journey accelerated in September 2025 during recovery from a groin injury sustained while playing for Gujarat Titans. The New Zealand player has been captured flying an aeroplane and the video shows him landing it perfectly on the runway.

Glenn Phillips has Pilot's License!

Phillips earned his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) after logging over 80 hours, well above the 50-hour minimum passing six theory exams and medical checks despite earlier hurdles from ADHD medication. He now flies Cessna 172 models from his Dunedin home, including trips to Christchurch and over Mount Cook, and is pursuing a commercial pilot's licence while fitting training around his cricket commitments.

Fans have dubbed him "Flying Phillips," drawing parallels between his gravity-defying catches for GT and New Zealand and his aerial skills.

IPL 2026 on the Horizon

The Kiwi player is expected to join the Gujarat Titans camp soon as the IPL 2026 starts from March 28. Phillips has so far played 8 IPL matches, scoring 65 runs. His last appearance was in 2023 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although the Blackcaps player was part of the Gujarat Titans squad last year, he was ruled out with an injury at the start of the tournament.