Daijiworld Media Network - Auckland
Auckland, Oct 30: Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell produced a sensational batting display to power New Zealand to a record 259/7 in the fourth T20 International against India at Eden Park here on Friday.
Phillips, arguably the standout batter of the series so far, smashed his third T20I century, scoring 107 off just 49 balls, while Bracewell contributed a blistering 65 off 25 deliveries. Their efforts helped New Zealand register their highest-ever T20I total and the highest score by any team against India in the format.
New Zealand surpassed their previous best of 254/5, scored against Scotland four years ago. Their 259/7 also eclipsed England's previous record of 257/3 against India in Southampton earlier this year.
The Indian bowlers endured a difficult outing as the New Zealand batters dominated proceedings. Nitish Kumar Reddy conceded a massive 32 runs in one over, while Axar Patel, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav also came under heavy attack.
India's Mayank Yadav was the most successful bowler, claiming 3/48 in four overs on his return to the side. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up one wicket each. Arshdeep also achieved a significant milestone by completing 150 T20I wickets, becoming the first Indian bowler to reach the landmark in the format.
The highlight of New Zealand's innings was a stunning 115-run partnership between Phillips and Bracewell for the fifth wicket, which came off just 40 deliveries. Finn Allen provided an aggressive start with 31 off 17 balls, while Daryl Mitchell scored 24 off just nine deliveries.
India elected to bowl after Shreyas Iyer won his fourth consecutive toss of the series. The visitors made two changes, bringing back Mayank Yadav and Ishan Kishan in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
India made an early breakthrough when Mayank dismissed the struggling Tim Seifert in the opening over. The batter attempted an uppercut but got a top edge towards third man, where Prince Yadav took a comfortable catch.
However, Mayank came under attack in the third over as Daryl Mitchell, who had scored a half-century in the previous match, smashed him for two sixes and two fours. The Indian pacer responded by trapping Mitchell leg-before with a fuller delivery, with the New Zealand batter also losing a review.
Finn Allen and the in-form Phillips then steadied the innings. The duo finished the powerplay strongly, taking 14 runs off Prince Yadav's over to leave New Zealand at 67/2 after six overs.
Allen continued his aggressive approach against Axar Patel, hitting a four and two sixes in the eighth over. However, the Indian spinner had the last laugh, bowling a cleverly flighted short delivery outside the batter's hitting arc. Allen attempted to pull but was caught at extra cover.
India briefly regained control through economical bowling. Axar conceded just five runs in his next over, while Mayank returned to dismiss Bevon Jacobs in the 11th over. A short delivery forced Jacobs into a mistimed shot, with Arshdeep Singh taking a comfortable catch at mid-wicket.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the following overs as Phillips and Bracewell launched a fierce assault. They welcomed off-spinner Naman Dhir with 16 runs in the 12th over before taking 18 runs off Prince Yadav in the next, with Phillips bringing up his third half-century of the series.
Bracewell then attacked Axar, striking three fours and a six in the following over. Arshdeep managed to restrict the scoring to seven runs in the 15th over, but Nitish Kumar Reddy was taken apart in the 16th.
After conceding 19 runs in his first two overs, Nitish was hammered for 32 runs, including a no-ball, as Phillips struck four consecutive sixes to leave the Indian bowling attack struggling.
Mayank also endured a costly final spell, conceding 20 runs in the 17th over after having taken 3/28 in his first three overs.
During the over, Bracewell completed his third T20I half-century in just 19 balls, registering the joint-second-fastest T20I fifty against India.
Prince Yadav eventually provided India with a breakthrough in the 18th over, dismissing Bracewell for 65. Attempting a lap shot, the New Zealand batter was struck on the pads by a fuller delivery. He reviewed the decision but lost the review as India secured the important wicket.
Prince bowled an excellent over thereafter, using variations to concede just six runs.
Phillips, meanwhile, continued his extraordinary innings and brought up his third T20I century off just 46 deliveries. He had already scored an unbeaten 82 and 70 in the first two matches of the series, further underlining his remarkable form.
Nitish finally dismissed Phillips in the last over when the batter miscued a lofted drive towards deep extra cover, where Abhishek Sharma completed the catch. However, New Zealand finished strongly, with Nathan Smith striking a boundary off the final delivery to take the hosts to a record 259/7.
Brief scores: New Zealand 259/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 107, Michael Bracewell 65; Mayank Yadav 3/48, Arshdeep Singh 1/38) against India.