India Win New Zealand T20I Series 3-2
India won the New Zealand T20I series 3-2 despite losing the fifth and final match by seven wickets at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday. New Zealand chased a target of 192 in 18 overs, but India had already built an unassailable lead by winning the first three matches of the series.
Tim Seifert powered the home win with 93 off 50 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes. Glenn Phillips finished unbeaten on 65 off 38 balls, and his innings took him to 341 runs for the series. That total set a new record for the most runs by a batter in a bilateral T20I series, passing Phil Salt of England, who scored 331 against the West Indies in 2023.
India had posted 191 for eight after being asked to bat first. Ishan Kishan top scored with 61 off 32 balls, and captain Shreyas Iyer added 50 off 23 balls. The pair shared a 93 run partnership for the third wicket after India had slipped to 19 for two.
New Zealand T20I series: Seifert sets up the chase
New Zealand lost opener Finn Allen in the second over, which gave India an early opening. Seifert closed that opening fast. He attacked the Indian bowlers from the start, and his 93 came at a strike rate of 186. He fell seven runs short of a maiden T20I century when a thick inside edge off Nitish Kumar Reddy deflected onto his leg stump.
Phillips then took over the finish. He had already scored 82 not out, 70 and 17 before his century in the fourth match, so his unbeaten 65 in Hamilton completed a remarkable series. His scores show a player in rare form across five games, with one century and three fifties. He was named player of the series, and the record he set will stand as the new mark for bilateral T20I batting.
Adam Milne led the New Zealand bowling with four wickets for 19 runs. Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner took two wickets each. Their work kept India to 191, a total that looked competitive but proved short once Seifert found his rhythm.
How India built the series win
India won the first three matches to take a 3-0 lead, which sealed the series before the last two games. New Zealand then won the fourth match in Auckland by 87 runs, and followed it with the seven wicket win in Hamilton. The final score of 3-2 therefore flatters the hosts slightly, since India had already won the series, but it also shows a home side that finished strongly.
The late New Zealand fightback gives both teams something to take into the next format. India will know that their early dominance faded in the last two games. New Zealand will know that their batting, led by Phillips and Seifert, can chase big totals when the top order fires.
What happens next
Frequently asked questions
Who won the India New Zealand T20I series?
India won the five match series 3-2. New Zealand won the last two matches, including the fifth T20I in Hamilton by seven wickets, but India had already sealed the series by winning the first three games.
What happened in the fifth T20I in Hamilton?
India scored 191 for eight, with Ishan Kishan scoring 61 and Shreyas Iyer scoring 50. New Zealand chased 192 in 18 overs, finishing on 195 for three, with Tim Seifert scoring 93 and Glenn Phillips finishing unbeaten on 65.
What record did Glenn Phillips set?
Glenn Phillips scored 341 runs in the series, the most by any batter in a bilateral T20I series. He passed Phil Salt of England, who scored 331 against the West Indies in 2023. His series scores were 82 not out, 70, 17, 107 and 65 not out.
Who was player of the series?
Glenn Phillips was named player of the series for his record breaking 341 runs, which included one century and three fifties across the five matches.
What comes next for the two teams?
The teams play a five match ODI series starting at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4, followed by two Tests.
