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Fans erupt as Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips power New Zealand to 5th T20I win, India clinch series 3-2

By AsiaEurope



New Zealand produced an impressive batting performance to defeat India by seven wickets in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1, 2026. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the hosts restricted India to 191/8 before completing a comfortable run chase with two overs remaining.

Tim Seifert led the charge with a brilliant 93, while Glenn Phillips provided excellent support with an unbeaten half-century. Although India suffered a defeat in the final match, they secured the five-match T20I series 3-2, having won the first three encounters before New Zealand bounced back in the remaining two games.

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer lead India’s recovery after early setbacks

India got off to a poor start after New Zealand pacer Adam Milne struck twice in the opening overs. He dismissed Abhishek Sharma for one and Sanju Samson for four, leaving the visitors struggling at 19/2. However, Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer responded with an aggressive counterattack, putting together a 93-run partnership off just 43 deliveries.

Kishan smashed 61 off 32 balls, including five fours and five sixes, while Iyer scored a quickfire 50 off 23 deliveries. Kishan also went past the previous mark for the most T20I runs by an Indian batter in a single calendar year. However, both set batters departed in quick succession, with Blair Tickner and Nathan Smith providing important breakthroughs.

Naman Dhir contributed 33 runs, while Nitish Kumar Reddy added 22 to help India reach a competitive total. Milne returned to dismiss the lower order and finished with outstanding figures of 4/19 as India posted 191/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips guide New Zealand to a comfortable win

New Zealand began their chase of 192 on a difficult note as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Finn Allen for just two runs. However, the early breakthrough did little to trouble the hosts, as Seifert and the middle order took control of the innings. India’s fielding struggles, including several dropped catches, further helped New Zealand build momentum during the chase.

Seifert played a magnificent knock of 93 off 50 deliveries, smashing 11 fours and five sixes. He combined effectively with Phillips, who continued the assault on the Indian bowling attack with an unbeaten 65 off 38 balls. The pair ensured that New Zealand remained comfortably ahead of the required run rate throughout the innings.

Reddy eventually dismissed Seifert to deny him a century, while Varun Chakaravarthy removed Daryl Mitchell for 29. However, the breakthroughs came too late to change the outcome. New Zealand reached 195/3 in 18 overs, sealing a seven-wicket victory with 12 balls remaining. Despite the defeat, India finished the series as winners with a 3-2 scoreline.

Also WATCH: Shreyas Iyer performs unique Mana Wave celebration after fifty in NZ vs IND 5th T20I

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Also READ: NZ vs IND 5th T20I: Ishan Kishan joins an elite list after surpassing Suryakumar Yadav





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