Series won, game lost: India suffer first defeat in New Zealand T20Is

AUCKLAND: Glenn Phillips smashed a sensational century before Jacob Duffy claimed four wickets as New Zealand defeated India by 87 runs in the fourth T20I at Eden Park on Friday. India, who had already secured the five-match series by winning the first three matches, suffered their first defeat of the series as New Zealand registered a consolation victory on home soil.

Batting first after India captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl, New Zealand posted a massive 259/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Phillips led the charge with a blistering 107 off just 49 deliveries, hitting six fours and 10 sixes. Michael Bracewell provided explosive support with 65 off just 25 balls, helping the hosts put the Indian bowling attack under tremendous pressure.

The pair added 115 runs for the fifth wicket, turning the momentum decisively in New Zealand's favour. Bracewell reached his half-century in just 19 deliveries, while Phillips smashed four consecutive sixes off Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 16th over. New Zealand's total was the highest T20I score by any team against India, surpassing England's previous record of 257/3.

Mayank Yadav was India's most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 3/48. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up a wicket each. Arshdeep also reached the milestone of 150 T20I wickets during the match, becoming the first Indian bowler to achieve the feat.

Chasing a daunting target of 260, India suffered an early setback as Jacob Duffy struck twice in the opening over. The New Zealand pacer dismissed Sanju Samson, who managed just four runs off two deliveries, before sending Ishan Kishan back for a duck. Abhishek Sharma offered some resistance with 27 runs, but India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Naman Dhir contributed 28, while Tilak Varma top-scored with 35. However, Duffy returned to break a brief recovery, dismissing Naman and Arshdeep Singh off successive deliveries. His impressive spell of 4/23 ensured that India never came close to challenging the target.

India eventually finished at 172/9 in their 20 overs, falling 87 runs short. Despite the defeat, the visitors retained their 3-1 lead in the five-match series, having already secured it with victories in the opening three matches. The win offered New Zealand some consolation and helped the hosts restore pride on home soil ahead of the final T20I.