Glenn Phillips credits Gujarat Titans’ IPL stint for success against India in T20Is

Brief Score, 4th T20I: New Zealand (259 for 7 in 20 overs) beat India (172 for 9 in 20 overs) by 87 runs at Eden Park, Auckland. Scorecard | Highlighting

New Zealand batsman Glenn Phillips may not have enjoyed the best of times with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, but he believes the experience of being part of the franchise played a significant role in his impressive performances against India in the ongoing T20I series.

Phillips made a match-winning 107 in the fourth T20I against India in Auckland to help New Zealand recorded an emphatic 87-run victory and avoid serial bleaching. The 29-year-old was the standout batsman for the visitors, leading the run charts with 276 runs in four matches at an average of 92. His tally includes a century and two half-centuries.

While his performances have grabbed the headlines, Phillips believes there is more to the IPL stint than runs scored or opportunities conceded.

The right-hander appeared in just six matches for Gujarat Titans during IPL 2026, scoring 67 runs with a top score of 25. However, his time with the franchise gave him access to quality facilities, experienced coaches and valuable opportunities to work on his game.

“The IPL is a bit of a beast in itself and the balance of teams being one of eight overseas (players) with only four spots (in the playing XI) makes it quite difficult. So, if you don’t go out there and set the world on fire, there’s always another guy in line,” Phillips said during the post-match press conference.

PHILLIPS ON LESSONS FROM IPL STINT

Phillips was quick to point out that limited playing options don’t necessarily mean a player can’t take something valuable away from the tournament.

He credited Gujarat Titans for providing him the environment and resources to improve his batting and added that players must make the most of such opportunities even if they are not part of the playing XI.

“I was very lucky in Gujarat to have an incredible background, some great coaches and a lot of time to work (on his bat). I also showed in England when I could have the volume (of runs) under my belt, be it red ball or white ball.

“Yes, you’d like to score runs in the IPL and, you know, make a lot of money and that would be fantastic. But there’s also a lot of learning that you can take from that place, whether you’re playing or not. I think it’s also up to every individual who’s in the IPL or any tournament to make the most of where they’re going,” he added.

His recent performances have also been boosted by a productive outing in the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy against England earlier this year. Phillips scored 181 runs in four innings at an average of 60, including a century, as New Zealand won the series 2–1.

The result also marked a significant moment for New Zealand cricket, with England’s defeat signaling the end of an era of Brendon McCullum-inspired baseball.

PHILLIPS EXPLAINS WHY HE DID NOT FIND

Phillips also dealt with concerns after not taking the field during India’s chase in Auckland. The New Zealand batsman said he had cramping but insisted his absence was largely a precaution.

“I think it’s just a little bit of stiffness that I felt at the beginning of the innings. But I felt a lot better as we went through the game and I think it was more of a precaution rather than risking an injury this early in the season,” he said.

Reflecting on New Zealand’s formidable total, Phillips admitted the visitors knew they needed a sizeable score to put India’s powerful batting line-up under pressure.

He also enjoyed watching captain Michael Bracewell’s explosive contribution from the other side as New Zealand moved to a 250-plus total.

“Yeah, it was also fun to be at the other end while (Michael) Bracewell went bananas. Obviously crazy things happen at Eden Park all the time and it was a fantastic pitch. Obviously you need a ton of runs to even have a sniff of beating India.

“So it’s up to us to be able to put a score like that on the board today. I think it will give us confidence going forward that we can get a score of that magnitude and it’s the first time we’ve been in that 250-point range,” Phillips added.

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