Hamilton: Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips produced a blistering batting display as New Zealand chased down India’s target of 192 with seven wickets to spare in the fifth and final T20I on Sunday.
Seifert led the charge with a 42-ball 93, striking 11 fours and five sixes. He fell just short of his maiden T20I century when a thick inside edge off Nitish Kumar Reddy’s delivery sent the ball crashing into his leg stump.
New Zealand had lost opener Finn Allen in the second over and made a cautious start to the chase before Seifert took control. Phillips then ensured there were no late hiccups, finishing unbeaten on 65 to steer the hosts home.
Phillips also set a new record for the most runs scored by a batter in a bilateral T20I series. His 341 runs surpassed England’s Phil Salt’s previous mark of 331.
Reflecting on his approach, Phillips said maintaining composure and focusing on each delivery had helped him perform. He added that taking on India’s spinners was a key part of New Zealand’s strategy, noting that the hosts had seen the Indian batters use spin effectively earlier in the series.
The victory offered New Zealand a consolation after India had won the opening three matches to secure the series. The hosts’ win reduced the final margin to 3-2.
Earlier, India were put in to bat and stumbled to 19-2 before Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan steadied the innings with a 93-run partnership. Iyer scored 50, while Kishan contributed 61, helping India post a competitive total of 191.
Fast bowler Adam Milne was New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker, claiming four scalps, while Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner picked up two wickets each.
The teams will now shift their attention to the five-match ODI series, which begins at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday.