New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips (AP Photo)
The New Zealand batter surpassed England’s Phil Salt, whose previous record had stood since 2023, during the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday. Despite losing the final two matches, India clinched the five-match series 3-2, having won the first three encounters. NEW DELHI: Glenn Phillips signed off a remarkable five-match T20I series against India by rewriting the record books, becoming the highest run-scorer in a bilateral series in the format.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will take considerable confidence from their strong finish ahead of the upcoming ODI assignments.
Phillips went past Salt’s tally of 331 runs, scored against the West Indies in 2023, when he reached 332 during his unbeaten innings against India. He eventually finished with 341 runs in the series, establishing a new benchmark for the most runs scored in a bilateral T20I series. The right-hander continued his extraordinary consistency with an unbeaten 65 off 38 balls in the final match, helping New Zealand chase down India’s target of 192 with seven wickets and 12 balls to spare.
opener Tim Seifert was the standout performer in the final match, producing a brilliant 93 to put New Zealand firmly in control of the chase While Phillips finished the series with another unbeaten half-century. India had posted 191/8 after being asked to bat first by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner. Ishan Kishan led the recovery with 61 off 32 balls, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 50 off just 23 deliveries.
He was named Player of the Series for his outstanding contribution. Speaking after the match, Phillips credited his composure and approach, saying he enjoyed going out to bat with the mindset of being the hunter rather than the prey.