New Zealand put on their biggest ever 259/7 tally in the T20 international from Eden Park as the side swept India out with 87 runs to pick up the fifth wicket. The hosts conducted a rather sensational 49-ball 107 and Glenn Phillips scored for them.
India had been struggling to stop New Zealand in the series as they drew 198, 180 and 225 runs from the Kiwis in the previous three innings. But it was a far greater challenge for the visitors at home, as the Kiwis played out a display of record breaking power hitting.
Phillips leads New Zealand to a Record Total
Phillips saw a match of his class with his explosive century and India struggled to manage the pace of the game. In a bad outing, Nitish Kumar Reddy had given out 64 runs in his 4 overs. Under him New Zealand hit sixes to his own bowlers alone – just a reminder of India’s bowling woes.
India Collapse During the Chase
India came into an early eye-opener when Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were picked in the first over before going on to be bowled out within 20 deliveries of the 28th. In the fifth and sixth over Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer also bowled out, leaving India under a lot of pressure.
The required run-rate was rising and with that, India had no option but to go for big shots. Faced by fewer wickets and a lack of boundary area though, the visitors were able to run just 172/9.
Eden Park’s Unique Dimensions
A particular challenge at Eden Park is that the boundaries are relatively short and straight with unusually long square boundaries. For guest teams that don’t know the venue, the size can be daunting.
New Zealand’s relentless bowlers started to unleash their arsenal on Indian bowling and send the chase into a tailspin with their first four wickets taken. The tie was a complete win for the hosts and proved of the value of being flexible to Auckland’s peculiar conditions.