Tim Seifert’s explosive 93 and Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 65 powered New Zealand to a commanding seven-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on November 1, 2026. The hosts successfully chased 192 in just 18 overs, finishing the series with an impressive performance despite India securing the five-match contest 3-2.
Earlier, India recovered from a difficult start to post 191/8, thanks to attacking half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer. However, Adam Milne’s outstanding spell of 4/19 prevented the visitors from building an even bigger total. New Zealand’s batters then dominated the chase, with Seifert and Phillips combining for a decisive partnership that ensured the hosts ended the series on a winning note.
Kishan and Iyer Rescue India After Early Setbacks
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner elected to field first, and the decision immediately paid off as Adam Milne removed Abhishek Sharma for one and Sanju Samson for four.
India were struggling at 19/2 after 3.1 overs before Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer launched an aggressive counterattack.
Kishan struck five boundaries and five sixes during his entertaining 61 from 32 deliveries, reaching his half-century from 28 balls.
Iyer was equally destructive, smashing 50 from just 23 balls, including three fours and four sixes. The Indian captain reached his fifty from only 22 deliveries.
Their 93-run third-wicket partnership transformed India’s position, taking the visitors to 112/3 in the 11th over.
However, Blair Tickner dismissed Kishan, while Nathan Smith removed Iyer shortly afterwards, disrupting India’s momentum.
Milne’s Four-Wicket Haul Restricts India to 191
Following the departure of their two main scorers, India struggled to maintain the same attacking tempo.
Tilak Varma contributed six before falling to Smith, leaving India at 133/5 in the 14th over.
Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy then added 46 runs for the sixth wicket, helping India recover during the closing overs.
Dhir scored 33 from 23 deliveries, striking four boundaries and a six, while Reddy contributed 22 from 17 balls.
Milne returned to dismiss Reddy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, completing an outstanding spell of 4/19 from four overs at an economy rate of just 4.75.
Tickner and Smith claimed two wickets each as India finished on 191/8 from 20 overs.
Despite scoring at 9.55 runs per over, India were unable to capitalise fully on their strong position of 111/2 at the halfway stage.
Tim Seifert Leads New Zealand’s Aggressive Chase
New Zealand began their pursuit of 192 aggressively despite losing Finn Allen for two in the second over.
Tim Seifert immediately took control, attacking India’s bowling with powerful stroke play and calculated aggression.
Daryl Mitchell provided valuable support, scoring 29 from 16 balls with four sixes.
The pair added 73 runs for the second wicket before Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Mitchell in the ninth over.
Seifert continued his assault, reaching his half-century from 34 deliveries and maintaining the pressure on India’s bowlers.
New Zealand reached 96/2 after 10 overs, leaving 96 runs required from the remaining 60 balls.
Seifert and Phillips Take the Game Away From India
Glenn Phillips joined Seifert and quickly accelerated the scoring rate.
The pair dominated the middle overs, adding 86 runs for the third wicket and taking New Zealand from 82/2 to 168/3.
Seifert eventually departed for a brilliant 93 from 50 balls, striking 11 boundaries and five sixes before falling to Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 16th over.
Phillips continued the chase without allowing India an opportunity to regain control.
The powerful right-hander reached his half-century from 29 balls and finished unbeaten on 65 from 38 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes.
Bevon Jacobs remained not out on one as New Zealand reached 195/3 in 18 overs, completing a convincing seven-wicket victory with 12 deliveries remaining.
India’s bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive batting, with Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and Nitish Kumar Reddy taking one wicket each.
India Clinch Series 3-2 Despite Final-Match Defeat
Although New Zealand dominated the final encounter, India secured the five-match T20I series by a 3-2 margin.
Adam Milne received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding four-wicket haul, which played a crucial role in restricting India’s total.
Glenn Phillips was named Player of the Series, recognising his performances across the five-match contest.
For New Zealand, the victory provided a strong finish to the series, while India completed their tour with the overall T20I series honours.
New Zealand vs India – 5th T20I Match Summary
India – 191/8 in 20 Overs (Ishan Kishan 61 (32), Shreyas Iyer 50 (23), Naman Dhir 33 (23); Adam Milne 4/19, Nathan Smith 2/28, Blair Tickner 2/38)
New Zealand – 195/3 in 18 Overs (Tim Seifert 93 (50), Glenn Phillips 65* (38), Daryl Mitchell 29 (16); Arshdeep Singh 1/40, Nitish Kumar Reddy 1/19)
Result: New Zealand won by seven wickets with 12 balls remaining.
Player of the Match: Adam Milne (New Zealand) – 4/19
Player of the Series: Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
Series Result: India won the five-match T20I series 3-2.
