259-run mountain too much for India as New Zealand win fourth T20I by 87 runs

Published: October 30, 2026 04:51 PM IST

Jacob Duffy’s four-wicket haul complemented Glenn Phillips’ explosive century as New Zealand defeated India by 87 runs in the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday, handing the visitors their first defeat of the five-match series.

India were given a taste of their own medicine as Phillips smashed a sensational 107 off just 49 balls (six boundaries and 10 sixes) to power New Zealand to a mammoth 259/7. It was the highest T20I total posted by any team against India.

Mayank Yadav (3/48) was India’s most successful bowler, while Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed a wicket each.

India’s chase got off to a disastrous start as Duffy struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Sanju Samson (4) and Ishan Kishan (0). Sanju began with a boundary off the first ball of the innings but fell to Duffy on the very next delivery. Ishan followed him back to the pavilion without scoring.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer managed just 22 runs as India struggled to recover from the early setbacks.

Duffy returned to break a brief recovery in the middle overs, dismissing Naman Dhir (28) and Arshdeep Singh (0) off successive deliveries to virtually seal New Zealand’s victory.

Tilak Varma (35) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) offered some resistance, but their contributions were not enough to prevent a comprehensive defeat.

India had already sealed the five-match series by winning the first three games. With one match remaining, the visitors lead the series 3-1.

Brief scores:
New Zealand: 259/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 107, Michael Bracewell 65; Mayank Yadav 3/48).
India:172/9 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 35, Naman Dhir 28; Jacob Duffy 4/23).