Six years, 10 matches, one defeat: Team India’s unbeaten run in New Zealand comes to an end

Team India’s unbeaten run against New Zealand in T20Is on their home soil came to an end on Friday after the hosts handed the visitors an 87-run defeat in the fourth match at Eden Park in Auckland. Glenn Phillips and Jacob Duffy played key roles in New Zealand’s dominant win.India have not lost a T20I against New Zealand in New Zealand in 10 consecutive matches between 2020 and 2026. But Friday’s defeat ended that impressive run.The 87-run loss was also India’s second-highest defeat by runs in T20I cricket. Despite the setback, Shreyas Iyer’s side have already clinched the five-match series with a 3-1 lead.

New Zealand ended India’s unbeaten streak

India’s 10-match unbeaten streak against New Zealand in New Zealand was one of the longest unbeaten streaks among Full Member teams in T20I cricket. The only longer run among the said records was India’s 11-match unbeaten streak against Sri Lanka in India from 2016 to 2023.New Zealand also enjoyed a nine-match unbeaten run against Bangladesh at home between 2010 and 2022. Pakistan recorded a similar nine-match streak against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe between 2011 and 2021.After losing the first three matches of the series, New Zealand finally gave the all-round performance they were waiting for. Their batsmen put up a huge total before the bowlers put up an equally impressive show to secure a convincing win.

Longest unbeaten streak against opposition in country (full member sides)

MatchesTeamsCountrySeason11India vs Sri LankaIndia2016-2310India vs New ZealandNew Zealand2020-269New Zealand vs BangladeshNew Zealand2010-229Pakistan vs ZimbabweZimbabwe2011-21India’s 10-match unbeaten streak against New Zealand ended on 30 October 2026.

Phillips, Bracewell lead the New Zealand batting

New Zealand took full advantage of the opportunity after India opted to bowl first. The hosts were bowled out for 259/7 in 20 overs, posting their highest ever T20I total. Phillips led the charge with a brilliant 107 off 49 balls, including six fours and 10 sixes.It was his third century in T20I cricket.Bracewell provided excellent support with a quick 65 off just 25 balls. The pair added 115 runs for the fifth wicket in just 41 deliveries, which completely changed the course of the innings.Finn Allen also played an attacking knock of 31 off 17 balls while Daryl Mitchell scored 24 off just nine deliveries.After Mayank Yadav dismissed Tim Seifert and Mitchell, Phillips joined Allen to add 59 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings. However, the real damage came when Phillips and Bracewell joined forces. Both the batsmen attacked the Indian bowlers and scored runs at a remarkable pace.Phillips went after Nitish Kumar Reddy in the sixteenth over and smashed four consecutive sixes. India conceded 32 runs in this match.Bracewell also faced Axar Patel and hit three fours and a six in one over. He reached his half-century in just 18 balls. Phillips completed his century in 46 balls with a six off Arshdeep Singh. He scored his second half-century in just 15 deliveries, which shows how quickly he has accelerated.New Zealand collected 85 runs in the last five overs to finish on 259/7. It was their highest ever T20I total and the highest score by any team against India in the format.Mayank was India’s leading wicket-taker with 3/48. Arshdeep, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy took one wicket each. Arshdeep also achieved a major milestone, becoming the first Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in T20Is.

Duffy leads New Zealand attack as India collapse

India needed a strong start to chase the massive target but Duffy struck twice in the very first over.The New Zealand pacer dismissed Sanju Samson for four before sending Ishan Kishan back for a duck. The first wickets put India under immediate pressure.The guests had a hard time recovering from the defeat. Abhishek Sharma scored 27 off 15 balls while skipper Shreyas Iyer contributed 22 off 11 deliveries.The two added 46 runs for the third wicket, but Matthew Fisher ended their partnership by dismissing Abhishek, who bowled the ball straight to Mitchell Santner’s cover.Iyer also failed to stay long as Adam Milne bowled him at 143 kmph.Santner kept the pressure on the Indian batsmen and picked up two wickets, preventing them from building a partnership.Tilak Varma was India’s top scorer with 35 off 35 balls while Naman Dhir added 28 off just 13 deliveries. However, their efforts were not enough to keep the chase alive.Duffy finished with figures of 4/23 while Fisher took two wickets and Santner also took two.India ended their innings on 172/9 in 20 overs, losing the match by 87 runs.

India’s biggest defeats in T20Is

The defeat against New Zealand was India’s second biggest loss by runs in T20I cricket.

India’s biggest defeats in T20Is

Defeat MarginOpponent VenueYear125 runsEnglandNottingham202687 runsNew ZealandAuckland202680 runsNew ZealandWellington201976 runsSouth AfricaAhmedabad2026India will now look to end the series with a win when they take on New Zealand in the fifth T20I final at Seddon Park Hamilton on Sunday.