4th T20I: Phillips’ Century, Duffy’s Four Wickets Power New Zealand To 87-Run Win Over India

Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell produced a stunning batting display to guide New Zealand to an 87-run victory over India in the fourth T20I at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.

Phillips smashed 107 off 49 balls, while Bracewell scored 65 from just 25 deliveries. Their 115-run partnership off 40 balls for the fifth wicket propelled New Zealand to a record 259/7 in 20 overs.

The hosts registered their highest T20I total, surpassing their previous best of 254/5 against Scotland. They also recorded the highest T20I score against India, eclipsing England’s 257/3 earlier this year.

Mayank Yadav led India’s bowling attack with 3-48, while Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Arshdeep also became the first Indian bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets.

India struggled during the chase as Jacob Duffy dismissed Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan for four and zero respectively in the opening over.

Abhishek Sharma scored 27 before Matthew Fisher removed him, while Adam Milne dismissed Shreyas Iyer for 22. India reached 61/4 by the end of the powerplay.

Naman Dhir contributed 28 before Duffy dismissed him with an excellent catch involving Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Smith. Duffy later removed Arshdeep Singh for a golden duck.

Tilak Varma top-scored for India with 35, but Fisher dismissed him in the penultimate over. Prince Yadav remained unbeaten on 18 as India finished at 172/9.

Duffy claimed 4-23, while Mitchell Santner took 2-24 to secure New Zealand’s first victory of the series. India, however, retained an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 259/7 (Glenn Phillips 107, Michael Bracewell 65; Mayank Yadav 3-48) beat India 172/9 (Tilak Varma 35, Naman Dhir 28; Jacob Duffy 4-23) by 87 runs.

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