Hamilton, November 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips credited his aggressive yet composed approach for a record-breaking performance in the five-match T20I series against India, which he finished as the leading run-scorer with 341 runs despite his team losing the series 3-2.
Phillips surpassed England’s Phil Salt, who had scored 331 runs against the West Indies in a five-match bilateral series in 2023, to set a new record for the most runs by a batter in a single bilateral T20I series.
His tally included a century and three half-centuries. He capped the campaign with an unbeaten 65 in the fifth T20I, helping New Zealand chase down India’s 192-run target with seven wickets and 12 balls to spare. Tim Seifert played a key role in the chase with 93 runs.
Named Player of the Series, Phillips said his approach was to remain calm, focus on each delivery and take the initiative rather than allow the opposition to dictate terms.
“Go out there and try and be a bit more of the hunter and a little less of the prey,” he said during the post-match presentation.
Phillips also explained New Zealand’s decision to attack India’s frontline spinner Varun Chakravarthy. He struck 27 runs off the 12 deliveries he faced from the spinner, describing the over as a potential turning point in the chase.
Phillips said New Zealand had seen India’s batters attack their spinners effectively earlier in the match and recognised that taking on spin would be important. He felt the risk against Chakravarthy was worth taking, while praising Seifert for maintaining the momentum throughout the innings.
With the T20I series concluded, Phillips said the performance had given New Zealand confidence ahead of the five-match ODI series, beginning November 4. He acknowledged that the longer format would demand greater patience and concentration, with teams having more time to manage the changing phases of a match.
He also indicated that his hamstring had held up well during the series.
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