Glenn Phillips scripted, breaks Phil Salt’s world record in stunning T20I series against India
Glenn Phillips of New Zealand (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Glenn Phillips sealed a remarkable five-match T20I series against India by rewriting the record books to become the highest run-scorer in a bilateral series in the format. The New Zealand batsman surpassed England’s Phil Salt, whose previous record stood from 2023, at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.Phillips surpassed Salt’s tally of 331 runs scored against the West Indies in 2023 when he made 332 during his unbeaten innings against India. He ended up with 341 runs in the series, setting a new benchmark for 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.Phillips finished the series with scores of 82 not out, 70, 17, 107 and 65 not out, scoring three half-centuries and one century. He also became only the third batsman to score four 50-plus scores in a bilateral T20I series, joining Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Japan’s S Ravichandran.Four 50+ scores in a bilateral T20I series
- Mohd Rizwan vs Eng 2022
- S Ravichandran (Japan) vs Mongolia 2024
- G Phillips vs Indian 2026
Glenn Phillips passed Phil Salt on the elite list
Salt held the previous record with 331 runs against the West Indies in 2023. Pakistan’s Rizwan occupies the third position with 316 runs against England in 2022, while Estonia’s Sahil Chouhan (297 against Cyprus in 2024) and New Zealand’s Mark Chapman (290 against Pakistan) complete the 2023 best.Phillips’ consistency was central to New Zealand’s batting campaign as his ability to accelerate against both pace and spin made him a major threat throughout the series.He was named player of the series for his outstanding contribution. Speaking after the game, Phillips praised his composure and approach, saying he likes to go to bat with the mindset of being the hunter rather than the prey.He also highlighted the importance of India’s spin bowling attack, especially Varun Chakravarthy, whose overs were a crucial phase during the chase.Most runs in bilateral T20I series
- 341* – G Phillips Vs. Indian 2026
- 331 – P Salt v WI 2023
- 316 – Mohd Rizwan vs Eng 2022
- 297 – Sahil Chouhan (Estonia) vs Cyprus 2024
- 290 – M Chapman vs Pak 2023
Tim Seifert and Phillips powered New Zealand to a series-ending victory
While Phillips finished the series with another unbeaten half-century, opener Tim Seifert was the standout performer in the final match, scoring a brilliant 93 to keep New Zealand firmly in control of the chase.India 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.The pair shared a century partnership after India lost their first wickets, but Adam Milne’s excellent spell of 4/19 restricted the visitors to a bigger total.New Zealand lost Finn Allen early in the chase but Seifert held on in the innings and attacked the Indian bowlers. He shared a partnership of 73 runs with Daryl Mitchell before combining with Phillips for 86 runs for the third wicket.Seifert eventually fell for 93 but Phillips remained unbeaten and guided New Zealand home in 18 overs.Despite losing the last two matches, India clinched the five-match series 3-2 by winning the first three encounters. New Zealand, meanwhile, will take considerable confidence from their strong target ahead of the upcoming ODI tasks.