Glenn Phillips Powers New Zealand to 225 in Christchurch T20 Opener

Christchurch: New Zealand's batting unit put on a powerful show in the first T20 International against India, played at Hagley Oval as part of a five-match series. Choosing to bat first, the hosts finished their 20 overs on 225 runs for four wickets.

This total is the joint-highest T20 International score by New Zealand against India. It is also the highest score recorded at the Hagley Oval so far. New Zealand had previously reached the same mark in 2026 at Thiruvananthapuram.

The top order laid a solid foundation. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen added 49 runs for the first wicket. Seifert could manage only 24 runs from 17 balls, while Allen was dismissed after a fast 45 runs from 24 deliveries.

Darryl Mitchell played a useful knock of 28 runs from 19 balls before returning to the dressing room. The middle order then came to the fore, with Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs putting together a whirlwind stand of 73 runs in just 32 balls.

Jacobs fell for 31 runs after facing 16 deliveries. Phillips stood firm and brought up his fifty in 27 balls. He went on to score a brilliant 82 runs from 40 balls, including eight boundaries and three sixes.

The Indian bowlers were unable to restrict the New Zealand batters. Arshdeep Singh managed one wicket but gave away 45 runs in his four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar failed to take a wicket and was hit for 49 runs in four overs. Mayank Yadav took one wicket but was expensive, conceding 40 runs. Axar Patel was the costliest Indian bowler, taking one wicket for 51 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy leaked 40 runs in his four overs.