New Zealand vs India IND in NZ, 5 T20Is, 2026, Full Score Card

FOUR! Glenn Phillips hits the winning runs. New Zealand win the final T20I by 7 wickets, but India take the series 3-2. Bhuvi goes into the wicket, skidding through, on off. Phillips hops and rides the bounce. He uses the pace by opening the face of the bat and steers it to the right of the short third fielder for a boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings, and with that, the scores are level. Too full, too straight by Bhuvneshwar, sliding down leg. Phillips does not miss out as he glances it away to the left of short fine leg for a four.

Spears in the yorker, on middle. Phillips jams it out to the right of the bowler.

Dug into the surface, on off. Phillips hops for the upper cut but fails to connect.

Low full toss, outside off. Phillips reaches out and glides it down to short third on the bounce.

That will do it for Glenn Phillips. Phillips is now the new record holder for the most runs in a T20I bilateral series (333 runs). Banged in short, on off. Glenn hops and drags the pull wide of deep square leg. Abhishek Sharma sprints to his left but overruns the ball. He gets a bit of hand on it, and that results in the ball slowing down and it does not have the legs to reach the fence. Two runs taken.

New Zealand need just 7 runs to win. So this could well be the final over of the series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back on. 3-0-31-0 so far.

Fuller and on off. Phillips drives it to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! Cracked away. Phillips needs two more runs to break Phil Salt's record for most runs in a T20I bilateral series. Short and wide on off, going away from over the wicket. Glenn needs no second invitation as he slaps it well wide of backward point for a four.

Pulls the length back, on off. Phillips angles it to backward point.

FOUR! That has rocketed to the fence, and Glenn Phillips brings up yet another FIFTY, his fourth score of fifty or more in this series. Pitched up by Arshdeep from around the wicket, on off. Phillips extends his hands into the shot and slams it towards wide long off. The boundary rider does not have much distance to cover, but he is still beaten despite the slide.

SIX! Picked up beautifully. Singh errs in his line as this is at the hips, on the shorter side. Fast hands from Phillips as he pivots and shovels it over long leg for half a dozen.

Singh lands it on top of off, Phillips hangs back to deal with it and defends it off the inner half beside the strip on the leg side.

It's a one-sided game now unless India strike a miracle. New Zealand need 22 runs from 24 balls. Arshdeep Singh (3-0-25-1) is back on.

Low full toss, on the pads. Phillips picks it up off the pads, playing it towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Nice and tight, skidding through, on a nagging length, on middle. Phillips stabs it down on the off side.

On a back of a length, on off. Jacobs punches it to long off and gets off the mark with a single.

Seifert misses out on a deserved century. But it's too little and too late for the Men in Blue now. Bevon Jacobs walks in at number 5.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Tim Seifert will have to wait for a maiden T20I ton but an outstanding innings from the opener and he has put New Zealand on course for a win. On a good length, around off. Seifert hangs back and clears the front leg, looking to go downtown but he loses his shape slightly and gets an inside edge. The ball goes on to clip the leg stump and dislodge the bail. New Zealand are 168/3, needing 24 runs in 27 balls.

FOUR! Seifert moves into the 90s. Nearly a yorker by Reddy, on off. Seifert gets the front leg out of the way and gets his hands through the line of the ball. He crunches the drive past extra cover, and the fielder in the deep is beaten to his right.

Banged in short, over off. Phillips hops and gets his hands high to drag the pull behind square leg for a single.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is back.

Overpitched on the leg stump, Phillips gets across, goes low on a knee and sweeps it to the long leg region for a single.

Comes from around the stumps now. Slides it across the right-hander, fractionally full. Left alone by Glenn.

Spins in from off, a lot quicker at 109 kph. Phillips hangs back and knocks it to mid on.

SIX! As easy as you like! Pitches it up, full and wide outside the off stump. Phillips strides across, gets to the pitch of the ball and gloriously lofts it over cover, clearing the fence with ease for a cracking six. 30 needed off 33 now.

DROPPED BY SAMSON! Another big chance goes begging. The conventional leg break on a length, outside off, Phillips stands still to cut it away but gets a thick outside edge and the ball just pops in and out of Samson's gloves. A tough chance, but a chance nonetheless.

SIX! BANG! Varun goes a little too full on the stumps, Phillips gets under it and effortlessly thumps it over the long on fence for half a dozen runs.

FOUR! Inside edge and it cruises to the fence! 150 is up for the Kiwis! On a fuller length and on the stumps. Seifert swings hard to dump it over the leg side, but gets an inside edge that deflects behind and bumps over the keeper's head for a four.

FOUR! Powered away! Seifert gallops to 85 and he is making India pay dearly for his dropped catch. Very full and outside off, Seifert loses his balance while reaching for it, and smashes it powerfully to the off side. The cover fielder dives to his left and gets a bit of a hand on it, but it seeps through and races to the fence.

Spears it full on middle and leg, Phillips whips it to deep mid-wicket for a run. 50 runs needed off 38 balls.

Slightly back of a length, outside off, Seifert clears the front leg away, perhaps looking to loft it over covers, but gets it sliced behind point for a single.

The physio is out to check on Prince Yadav. He has brought a hot pack to help ease the pain.

That will hurt! Prince delivers another full ball, at the sticks. Phillips swings through the line and picks the bones out of it, smacking it back towards the bowler. Prince gets both hands to his right on his follow-through. The ball hits him on the right thumb and goes away, allowing a single. That will sting on a chilly night.

Slips in the yorker, on off. Seifert digs it out to mid off and crosses over.

Prince Yadav has been brought back.

FOUR! Edged but safe! 18 runs off this over. New Zealand are in the driver's seat now. Full and wide outside off at 109 kph. Phillips spots the width and throws everything at it, getting a thick outside edge that flies over short third and races away to the boundary.

Spins in sharply on middle, Seifert drags it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! This is really sloppy from India now. Kishan should have stopped that. A schoolboy error. Pitched up and wide outside off, and Seifert stands tall to thump it through the off side, just right of deep point. Kishan gives chase, but the ball curls away from him late. He overruns and slips, and can only watch it squirt past him to the rope. Chakaravarthy is not pleased one bit. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between Seifert and Phillips.

A full delivery outside off, and it's the googly. Phillips stays leg side of the ball, pushes forward, and looks to drive through the off side, but gets an inside edge that runs away to backward square for a single.

FOUR! Action replay of the previous ball. Glenn Phillips goes past Mark Chapman to score the most runs for New Zealand in a T20I series, informs Simon Doull on air. Short again on the stumps, Phillips uses the depth of the crease and nails the pull shot, this time in front of square for a boundary at deep mid-wicket.

FOUR! Boundaries are leaking here and the Indians are out of answers at the moment. Dropped short by Varun, on leg, Phillips pick the length early and pulls it off the back foot to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy (2-0-14-1) returns for his third over.

FOUR MORE! Brilliant batting from Seifert. Very full and very wide outside off once again, Seifert throws kitchen-sink at it and carves it over backward point for a boundary. Another expensive over as 11 runs come off this one. The Kiwis need 72 runs from 48 balls.

FOUR! Gets it through! Arshdeep misses the yorker and bowls it too full and outside off. Seifert reaches out for it by hanging his bat low and shovels it to the right of the short third fielder, beating Dhir in the deep to his left for a boundary.

Slammed short at 136 kph, on top of the stumps, Phillips swivels and controls the pull shot along the ground to deep square leg. One more. 80 needed off 50.

A wide yorker outside off, Seifert bends a bit, throws his bat at it and carves it over backward point. Naman Dhir runs to his left and cuts it off. One run taken.

Angled across, on a length, Phillips knocks it to the left of Iyer at cover for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, 130 kph, Phillips punches it on the up to the cover fielder.

Quicker one on a length, drifting on the leg stump. Seifert makes room by moving to the leg side, goes for the pull but gets an inside edge to short fine leg. 13 runs off the over and New Zealand need 83 runs off 54 balls.

SIX! BLUDGEONED! Seifert on the charge in Hamilton. Very short by Sharma, on off and middle, Tim Seifert hangs deep inside the crease before powering it behind deep mid-wicket for a flat six.

Very slow through the air, full on off, Phillips lets the ball dip and carves it through cover for a single.

Short and outside off, Tim backs away and slaps it to deep extra cover for a single.

Goes with the arm, full on leg, 86 kph, Phillips gets down on a knee and slogs it on the bounce to Arshdeep at deep square leg. One run taken.

FOUR! Starts with a loosener and gets punished! And the 100 is up for New Zealand. A genuine drag-downer, sliding onto the pads. Glenn swivels and helps it to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Drinks Break! Honors even at the halfway mark of the chase. New Zealand made a strong comeback through that 73-run stand between Seifert and Mitchell. Though the latter couldn't hang in there, Seifert is going along pretty well, making the most of his dropped chance. The hosts need 96 runs from 60 balls, which is quite doable with wickets in hand. But India know that a couple of quick breakthroughs here will tilt the momentum once again. Oh, this is interesting. Abhishek Sharma has been brought into the attack now. He replaces Varun Chakaravarthy.

FOUR! Good adjustment! Pace off delivery at 118 kph, on a back of a length. A little too straight with square leg up inside the circle. Seifert waits for the ball to arrive and rolls his wrists over the ball to place the pull to the right of the square leg fielder for a four. 12 runs off the 10th over. At the halfway mark, New Zealand are 96/2, needing 96 more.

Very full, on off. Phillips digs it out to long off and gets to the other end.

Straightening off a good length, on off. Phillips looks to turn it away with a closed bat face but gets a soft leading edge to point.

Not all that short, outside off. Glenn Phillips pivots for the pull but the ball skids through to take the bottom edge and it goes on the bounce to the keeper.

On a back of a length, on off. Seifert punches it to deep point for a single.

SIX! Tim Seifert brings up his FIFTY in style. A string of low scores coming into the game for the Kiwi opener and the dropped catch earlier in the night has proved to be just the luck he needed. Reddy begins on a length, outside off. Seifert anticipates the line and length and pre-empts the scoop. He gets inside the line, hangs low and scoops it over deep fine leg for a six.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is brought into the attack now.

Floated up, on off. Seifert extends his hands and plays a punchy drive along the ground. Shreyas Iyer dives to his right at extra cover and gets a hand on it. He gets back up on his feet and keeps the batters down to a single. End of a successful over for Varun Chakaravarthy and India. A wicket and 3 runs off it.

Skidding through, shorter and on top off. Glenn dabs it wide of point for a single.

Doing too much! Another optimistic shout from Varun Chakaravarthy but that is going down leg. It is the googly, on a good length, on middle. Phillips plays around it and wears it on the front pad.

A timely wicket for the tourists as the 73-run stand is broken. In walks the man in form, Glenn Phillips. He smashed an outstanding century in the previous game in Auckland.

OUT! CAUGHT! Varun Chakaravarthy breaks through for India. A lot of air given by Varun, full and on off. Mitchell puts his head down and swings through the line. He does not quite get hold of it, and it dips on Abhishek Sharma, who charges in off the long off fence. He dives forward to take the catch. A quick check upstairs and the replays confirm that Sharma had his fingers under the ball and at no point did the ball come in contact with the turf. New Zealand are now 2 down for 82, needing 110 runs in 69 balls.

Is that a fair catch? Abhishek is claiming it, but the umpires have sent it upstairs for a review to check its legality. One replay is enough for the TV umpire to rule it in favor of the fielder. His fingers are completely wrapped around the ball. OUT loads on the giant screen.

Keeps it away from the batter's arc, fuller in length. Seifer reaches out and slices it off the outer half to the left of deep point. Just a single.

At 109 kph, curving back in, flat and short, on middle and leg. Seifer gets low to swing it away on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

42 runs from the last 3 overs and the hosts are right back on track in this chase. India are desperate for a breakthrough.

Very full, on middle. Seifert backs away and exposes all three stumps. He drills it to deep cover and keeps the strike with a single. 11 runs off the over. New Zealand need 111 runs in 72 balls.

Yorker attempted but it comes out as a low full toss, on middle. Mitchell taps it away towards wide long on for only a single.

SIX! Watch out in the crowd! Prince hits the back of a length, on middle. This sits up to be hit and Mitchell stands tall to pummel it over deep square leg for a flat six.

Good hustle! Tailing back in, it is a low full toss, on the pads. Mitchell fails to help it away. The ball thuds into the pads and trickles into the vacant square leg region. The batters take the first run hard and make it back for the second before Sanju Samson can get to the ball.

Full and fast, around leg. Seifert clears the front leg and swats it away to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Prince follows Seifert with a good-length delivery as he backs away. Tim plays all around it and wears it on the pads.

New Zealand need 122 runs in 78 balls. Prince Yadav (1-0-14-0) replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Rapped on the pads! Skidding through, on a nagging length, outside off. Mitchell shuffles across for the block but is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. The impact looked outside the line there.

SIX! Good use of the feet. Sliding on with the arm, on a length, on middle. Mitchell skips down the track and reaches the pitch of the ball. Launches it over long on, where Tilak Varma is a mere spectator.

This is quicker through the air, on a length, on middle. Seifert pushes it down to long on and crosses over.

Slower through the air, on a good length, on off. Mitchell clears the front leg and swipes it away off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for one.

Wide! Sliding down leg, on a nagging length. Mitchell misses out on the tickle. Good work by Sanju Samson to move to his left and whip the bails off quickly but Daryl had his back leg ground inside the crease.

Shorter and on middle, that is punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

India have run out of their reviews! Flighted up, it is the googly, full and on middle. Mitchell shimmies down the track and shapes up to clip it away with a closed bat face. The ball spins back in to go past the inside edge and pings him low on the front pad. A single is taken as the ball goes away on the off side. Sanju Samson and Varun Chakaravarthy convince Shreyas Iyer to take the review. A spike on UltraEdge when the ball is next to the bat. The on-field decision is upheld.

India opt for a review for LBW, challenging the on-field decision. A big spike on UltraEdge as the ball is next to the bat. So the on-field decision of Not Out stays.

End of the Powerplay, and it's been a good one in the end for the Kiwis after a slow start. They are 59/1, and at the same stage, India were 50/2. As the field spreads, Varun Chakaravarthy is introduced into the attack, replacing Prince Yadav.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count. This has been quite the momentum shift since the dropped catch. 20 runs off the final over of the Powerplay. At the end of 6 overs, New Zealand are 59/1, needing 133 runs in 84 balls. Pitched up, outside off. Seifert throws his hands at the ball. It flies over short third off an outside edge for a four.

Around the tramline, very full. Seifert reaches out but loses his footing and bunts it down to extra cover.

SIX! And again. With that, the 50 comes up for New Zealand. It is the knuckleball by Bhuvneshwar and the length is dragged back, on off. Seifert moves to the leg side and frees his arms, thumping it with a horizontal bat towards the sight screen. 37 runs in 13 balls since that dropped catch.

SIX! Clean as a whistle. Kumar goes searching for the yorker but misses his mark. Serves it right in the slot, on middle. Seifert backs away, clears the front leg and pumps it over the sight screen for half a dozen.

FOUR! Up and over. Pace taken off by Bhuvi, fuller and at the sticks. Tim makes room to open up the off side. He waits for the ball to arrive before carving it over extra cover. Tilak Varma gives chase but the ball wins the race.

A big swing and a miss! Serves it on a good length, outside off. Seifert clears the front leg and tries to hit through the line but can only connect with thin air.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back with a change of ends.

Finishes it off well. Nails in a yorker and gets some inswing as well, on the leg stump. Seifert's head falls over as he tries to dig it out. Shovels it to the mid-wicket region for a single. 14 runs off Prince's first.

Tailing in on the leg stump, full in length, Seifert flicks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

Hits the back of a length, on the leg stump, Mitchell rides the bounce and nudges it wide of square leg for a single.

Angled onto the pads, whipped across by Mitchell, but straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.

SIX MORE! Even better from Mitchell! Slammed hard into the surface, outside off, Daryl Mitchell picks the length early and launches it effortlessly over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

SIX! Hit extremely hard! Good-length delivery on the middle stump, skidding off the track. Daryl Mitchell clears the front leg and swings it over deep mid-wicket for a flat six.

A change in bowling as Prince Yadav replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Beaten! Fired outside off on a fullish length, Seifert throws his bat at it, swings with all his might, only to miss out. The ball flirts with the tramline, but stays inside and carries through to the keeper.

SIX! Connects well this time! On a back of a length, around the off stump, Seifert holds his shape well and thumps it powerfully over the long off fence for a six.

Full and outside off, belted away to the left of mid off. Shreyas dives and makes the stop. One run taken.

DROPPED! Dhir puts down an absolute sitter at deep third. A length ball on leg and middle, shaping away late. Seifert clears his front leg and attempts to launch it in the air, but gets a thick leading edge that flies straight to deep third. Dhir gets under it, but shells it. One run taken. Seifert gets a huge lifeline here.

Beaten! On top of middle, nipping into the batter, Seifert shuffles far across to the off side to play the scoop shot but misses. He loses his balance completely and falls over.

Short of a length, outside the off stump, Seifert slashes it to the deep point region and they hustle back for the second as the sweeper cuts it off in the deep.

Fuller than a length, just outside off, Seifert drives it to the right of the cover fielder and pinches a single.

Hard length, around the off stump, Seifert stays leg side and punches it to mid off.

FOUR! Off the edge and another fortuitous boundary for Seifert. Length-delivery angled onto the pads, Seifert rocks back to whip it onto the leg side, but gets a leading edge. Luckily, the ball rifles between the slip and the short third fielder for a boundary.

Slower one at 116 kph, on a length, on a tight line on off, Seifert does not get to free his arms and knocks it back to the bowler.

A hint of inswing on a fuller length, on the fourth stump. Seifert badly mistimes the drive towards the cover fielder.

A change of bat for Tim Seifert. Plenty of options to choose from as two men jog out, each carrying a couple of bats.

A fullish delivery on off, Seifert drives it straight back to the bowler. Kumar cuts it off on his follow-through.

Nagging length, on the leg stump, Mitchell rocks back and knocks it to mid on. Brilliant start by Arshdeep. A wicket and just three runs from it.

A late appeal for caught behind, but not given! Shreyas has a chat with the bowler and the keeper before opting for a review. Fuller ball, angled across the batter, Daryl clears the front leg to smash it downtown, but the ball keeps leaving him. Beats the bat and nestles into Samson's gloves. UltraEdge shows a flat line and India lose a review. Sanju had no interest in it to begin with.

On a length, around off, and shaping in, Mitchell mistimes the punch towards cover.

Wide! Back of a length, down leg, Daryl leaves.

Daryl Mitchell walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! India have their first wicket. Singh bangs the length in hard and gets it to swing in with a hint of extra bounce. Allen stays rooted in his crease and goes for a booming pull, but the ball climbs on him and spoons up into the night sky. It hangs in the air over the square leg region for an age, swirling as it comes down. Kishan calls for it, keeps his eyes locked on the ball, and judges the trajectory right until the final moment. He goes for the catch with a reverse cup, but the ball bursts through his grasp. Falling backwards works in Ishan's favour, though, as the ball rolls onto his stomach and he manages to cling on. New Zealand are 9/1, chasing 192.

Tap and run! An outswinger on a good length, on top of off, Seifert punches it off the back foot towards cover-point for a single.

Wide! Wayward from Singh. Hits the length hard at 128 kph, but fires it way down leg. Seifert misses the tickle.

Gets the ball to jump and shape away from the batter on a length, Finn hops back and steers it to the right of short third for a quick single.

Arshdeep Singh will operate from the other end.

Back of a length, angling into the body, Seifert stands tall and stabs it to cover-point.

INSIDE EDGE AND FOUR! Lucky, very lucky. Bhuvi gets the ball to shape back into the batter, on a good length. Seifert is cramped for room and tries to punch it away, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls past the leg stump, before racing to the deep fine leg fence.

The call is for two but they won't get it! At the pads on a fuller length, Allen flicks it wide of mid on for a single.

New Zealand are off the mark! So is Seifert! Full on the stumps, angling in, Seifert strokes it through mid on for a single.

Curves away, from middle to off, full in length, Tim looks to flick but closes the bat face a bit too early. Gets a leading edge that goes on a couple of bounces to Kishan at cover-point.

Swing right away! Back of a length, shaping away, Seifert hangs back and punches it to backward point.

A single to end the innings. India finish with 191/8. Adam switches to around the wicket for the left-hander and looks for the yorker. Arshdeep exposes all three stumps to open up the off side. Singh bunts the low full toss wide of extra cover and takes a single. A good final over by Milne. 2 wickets and just 7 runs off it.

Who faces the last ball of the innings? It will be Arshdeep Singh.

OUT! CAUGHT! Wicket number 4 for Adam Milne. Bhuvi shows his cards early as he backs away and Milne follows him with a length ball with the seam staying upright. Kumar has a swing at it but the ball curves back in the air to catch the inner half. It is spooned down to long on, where Daryl Mitchell runs in off the ropes and slides to snaffle it safely. India are 190/8 with one ball left in the innings.

FOUR! Nicely done. Yorker attempted by Milne and it tails back in again. It comes out as a low full toss, on the pads. Kumar uses the angle and the pace to help it to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Bye. A bumper, over off. Prince makes room and throws his hands at the ball but is beaten for pace. It bursts through Tim Seifert's gloves and the batters sneak in a bye.

Another one bites the dust. Prince Yadav walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nitish Kumar Reddy holes out. Milne gets the ball to tail back into the right-hander and he keeps it very full. Reddy is deep in the crease and whips it away but he does not get the leverage to get under the ball. It goes only as far as deep mid-wicket, where Glenn Phillips moves forward and gobbles it up. India lose their last recognised batter with 4 balls left in the innings.

Hits the top of off, does Milne, Kumar slices the drive past point for a single.

Adam Milne will bowl the final over.

FOUR! Reddy flashes and flashes hard. Tickner goes into the deck, well outside off. Reddy shuffles a bit and throws the kitchen sink at it. Gets a thickish outside edge and it races down to deep third.

Around off, on a back of a length. Kumar goes deep in the crease and guides it through third man for a single.

The next batter in is Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

OUT! CAUGHT! Blair Tickner strikes back. It is the knuckleball that does the trick for Tickner. Dipping on the right-hander, full and in line with the off stump. Dhir has a swipe across the line and ends up cutting across the ball. Slices it off the outer half wide of extra cover, where Michael Bracewell moves to his left and dives to take the catch. We have seen some unusual celebrations throughout the history of the sport, but this one is a first as Tickner pulls out a Pokémon card and flashes it.

A good comeback by Tickner. Takes pace off and goes into the surface, outside off. Dhir flashes at the ball but can only connect with thin air.

SIX! That has gone the distance. Tickner goes searching for the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, angled into the pads. Dhir picks it up off the pads and with the angle, it sails over the long leg fence for half a dozen.

Does not carry! Tickner dishes out the knuckleball and the seam stays upright, on a length, on off. Reddy hangs deep in the crease and clears the front leg to hit through the line. It is mishit towards wide long on, where Daryl Mitchell does not quite pick the ball straight away and runs around the ropes rather than running in. He dives forward eventually but the ball gets to him on the bounce. Just a single.

Blair Tickner will bowl the penultimate over.

Good finish to the over. Duffy pushes the length up, just outside the off stump. Dhir leans inside the line and sinks to his right knee to play the scoop but is beaten on the inside edge and the ball brushes his front pad before going to the keeper.

Dug in short, over off. Dhir hops to flay it away but misses. That was a boundary opportunity with backward point and third man both up inside the circle.

FOUR! Good movement in the crease. Pace taken off, on the shorter side, keeping the line outside off. Dhir moves across the stumps to get closer to the line of the ball. Stands tall on top of the bounce and spanks it in the gap between extra cover and long off.

Delivers it on a hard length, over off. Reddy arches back and makes a late decision to dab it down. Blair Tickner at short third dives to his right and keeps the batters down to a single.

Drags the length back, on off. Reddy punches it firmly but straight to extra cover.

SIX! High and long enough. Bowled at 132 kph, on a length, on off. Reddy takes a step back in the crease and clears the front leg. He puts his head down and swings through the line. Gets it more from the lower half, and the blade turns in his hand, but he manages to clear the wide long on fence.

Jacob Duffy comes back into the attack.

A good ball to end the over. Milne nails the yorker, on off. Naman can do nothing about it and digs it out back to the bowler.

FOUR! Through the gap. Milne pitches it up, outside off. Dhir gets the width to work with, and he throws his hands at the ball whilst opening the face of the bat. Slices it aerially past backward point, where Finn Allen dives to his left, but the ball stays out of his reach.

Speared in at the toes, a low full toss. Reddy whips it away through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

At pace now, skidding through, on a short of a length. Reddy stays beside the line to glide it down to deep third but is beaten for pace.

FOUR! Daryl Mitchell's effort goes in vain. Slower one, bowled on a back of a length. Reddy powers the pull to the right of long on. Mitchell sprints to his right and slides to push the ball back inside with his right hand. He gets a bit of hand on it but it is not enough.

Full and angled in at the sticks. Reddy presents the full face of the bat and drives it too straight, hitting the sticks at the bowling end.

Adam Milne is back on. 2-0-4-2 are his figures so far.

Another off-pace ball, on off, on a length. Reddy swipes it away to deep mid-wicket for one.

Takes pace off, fuller and on off. Dhir knocks it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Banged away. This will only add to the frustration of Blair Tickner. Loopy slower one, dipping on the batter, a bit too full, on off. Dhir gets his hands through the line of the ball and cracks the drive past extra cover for a boundary.

PUT DOWN! That should have been taken. Simon Doull informs that this is the 14th dropped catch by New Zealand in this series. Tickner bashes the hard length and gets it high around the shoulder, outside off. Dhir reaches out to flay it away. Spoons it straight down the throat of Adam Milne at deep point, who could have taken another step or two to take the catch around his chest but he hangs back and bends to take the catch, and shells it. Dhir had given up and the batters did not run.

At 135 kph, angled into the pads, Reddy works this good-length ball to mid on for a single.

Starts with an off-pace delivery, on a good length, around off. Dhir waits on it and punches it to deep point for a single.

Blair Tickner is back. 2-0-18-1 so far for Tickner.

Dragged back, on middle, Nathan Smith swats it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

FOUR! Top shot! More air on this one, full and around off. Naman Dhir backs away a bit, brings his wrists into play, and lofts it beautifully over extra covers for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy drills it to long off for a run.

Floated, short and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy stabs it out to short cover.

Excellent effort in the deep! A bit short, around off, Naman Dhir backs away and cuts it as the ball races through backward point. Bevon Jacobs in the deep covers a lot of ground to his left and dives to push the ball back inside. Three taken.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Nitish Kumar Reddy drives it to long off for a single.

Hard length and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy runs it down to deep third for one.

Good length and on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy taps it towards cover.

112/2 has become 133/5 for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Nathan Smith eventually gets his man. He bangs this into the pitch, just around off. Tilak Varma steps across and tries to drag his pull shot but gets into an awkward position, and the ball bounces a bit more than he expects. It takes the top edge and goes into the air as Smith runs to his left and grabs it well. He straightaway points to the umpire to see if that is a legal delivery or not and gets the nod. Tilak fails to make the most of the life given to him. India lose half their side now.

On a length and on off, Naman Dhir pushes it towards cover, where a fumble allows one.

Much fuller and wide outside off, Tilak Varma reaches out and drills it to deep point for a run.

The celebrations have been cut short! Nathan Smith thought he had picked up a wicket, but he has overstepped here. Pace off, short of a length and on off, jumps off the deck. Tilak Varma looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge. It loops up and wide of point, where Finn Allen moves to his right and dives to take a fine one-handed catch. However, it will mean nothing as it is a No Ball. Free Hit up next...

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Naman Dhir hoicks it off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

Flatter, shortish and around off, Naman Dhir forces it down to long off for the sixth single of the over.

Drags his length back, around off, Tilak Varma stabs it out through covers for one more.

Short again, on middle and leg, Naman Dhir flicks it off the back foot through square leg for one.

Goes short, outside off, Tilak Varma reaches out and punches it to sweeper cover for another run.

Floated, full and on leg, Naman Dhir eases it down to long on for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Tilak Varma clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Santner brings himself back on.

Good length and on off, Naman Dhir tucks it to the leg side and sets off for the run, but is sent back. Back-to-back good overs for the Kiwis!

Pitched up, on middle and off, Naman Dhir knocks it down the pitch.

Back of a length and on middle, Naman Dhir keeps it out.

Naman Dhir walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Nathan Smith strikes big here. He bowls a well-directed bumper, just around off, pace on this time. Shreyas Iyer makes his mind up early for the pull shot but the ball skids through to rush him and gets big on him. It takes the top edge and lobs up in the air behind, where Tim Seifert moves forward and takes a dolly. Fifty and out for the skipper, and India are 123/4.

WIDE! Bangs in a slower bouncer, on middle, but too high. Shreyas Iyer lets it go.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR IYER! Off just 22 balls. A superb knock from the Indian skipper, and this will do a whole lot of good for his confidence. Nathan Smith loses his grip and slips in a high full toss, around leg. Iyer steps across and just helps it on its way to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Pace off, full and on off, Shreyas Iyer tucks it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and calls for two right away. He turns back and makes it comfortably.

Nathan Smith returns to the attack.

Hard length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer punches it through cover-point for one more.

Short of a length and on middle, Tilak Varma heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Pitched up, on off, Shreyas Iyer wrists it to deep square leg for another run.

Back of a length and on off, Tilak Varma dabs it down towards point for a single.

Shreyas Iyer has been joined by his deputy, Tilak Varma.

OUT! CAUGHT! Blair Tickner makes amends for his dropped catch. He comes around the wicket, serves this full and on middle, angling in a bit. Ishan Kishan steps across and tries to swipe across the line but gets it from the bottom half of the bat. He fails to get the distance as the ball flies straight to deep mid-wicket, where Nathan Smith pouches it safely. Kishan walks back after a fiery knock, and India are 112/3 now.

Slower delivery, on a length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer nudges it towards mid-wicket for  a single.

DRINKS! Incredible hitting from the pair of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, and they have put New Zealand under the pump here. The hosts could have, and probably should have, broken the partnership in the last over, only if Blair Tickner had managed to take his catch. Kishan has already notched up a fifty, and if these two stay for the next 5 overs or so, a total of well over 200 will not be a big ask. New Zealand need to regroup quickly and come up with some different tactics. Here is Blair Tickner to bowl after the break.

FOUR! That is powerfully hit. A lot fuller, wider on off. Kishan sinks to a knee and swats it away in front of square on the leg side. The ball skips across the turf and splits the fielders at deep mid-wicket and long on for another four. 27 runs off the over, and after a quiet start, India are motoring along.

SIX! Up, up and away! How often have we seen this? A dropped catch, followed by a six on the very next ball. Floated up from around the wicket, on off. Kishan dances down the track and launches it down the ground. One hand comes off the bat handle but it does not matter as he clears the long on fence with ease.

DROPPED! Blair Tickner has shelled it. Slowed down by Bracewell, on a good length, on off. Iyer gets down on a knee for the slog sweep but gets a top edge. It is skied towards short fine leg, where Tickner tries to settle under it but is always on the move and gets into a tangle. He fails to cling on and the ball drops to the ground.

SIX! Another biggie from the Indian skipper. Another ball, right in the slot by Bracewell, on off. Iyer needs no second invitation. He hangs deep in the crease and parks it onto the grass banks beyond the long off fence.

FOUR! Two is the call but Iyer will get two more than that. Bracewell tries to get it very full but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle. Iyer flicks it away off the pads and threads the gap, beating the diving deep mid-wicket fielder to his left.

SIX! Launched down the ground. Fired in full by Bracewell, on off. Iyer gets it in his wheelhouse and swings through the line, smacking it back over the sight screen for half a dozen.

Full and pushed through, near the tramline. Kishan goes for the reverse but is beaten on the outside edge as the ball goes away with the angle.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile and that brings up a FIFTY for Ishan Kishan. Santner errs in his length as he serves a bit too full, right in the slot, on off. Kishan just holds his shape and wallops it over long on for a biggie. First half-century of the series for Kishan.

Shorter and slower, on off. Kishan smashes it off the back foot to extra cover.

Wide! Pushed well wide on off, Kishan brings out the reverse but fails to connect.

FOUR! Wow, that's an incredible shot. Nearly a yorker by Santner, on middle. Kishan gets the front leg out of the way and brings his wrists into play. Whipping it away in helicopter style, hitting it in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for a four.

Smashed onto the stumps! Very full, on off. Kishan can't get under the ball and hits it too straight, right onto the stumps at the bowling end.

A bit of air given, full and on off. Iyer pushes it down to long off for a single.

Flighted delivery, on middle. Iyer leans on and works it with the spin behind square leg for one more run.

Not all that short, spinning away, on off. Kishan mistimes the pull down to long on for one.

Direct hit! Tossed up, on off. Kishan gets forward and angles it towards backward point. He sets off for the run before being sent back and Bevon Jacobs is quick onto the ball and scores a direct hit at the batting end. A quick check upstairs but Ishan had got back in by then.

Missed out! Dragged down, on off. Iyer forces it away but straight to deep point. Just a single.

This partnership is now beginning to hurt the Kiwis.

Wide! Well wide on off, skidding through. Iyer lets it go. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

SIX! Onto the grass bank! This is dropped short by Bracewell, on middle. Iyer rocks onto the back foot and uses the depth of the crease to pull it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Speared in on a good length, on middle. Kishan nurdles it in front of square on the leg side and rotates the strike.

Curving away with the angle, on the shorter side. Kishan spanks it to deep point for another single.

Shorter and darted in on middle, Iyer goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Outstanding work in the field! On a good length, on off. Kishan shimmies down the track and even though he is not to the pitch of the ball, he swings through the line. One hand comes off the bat handle as Ishan lofts it back over the bowler's head. Daryl Mitchell is quick to his left from long on and slides to flick the ball towards the converging Finn Allen, keeping the batters down to a single.

Slows it down, fuller and on off. Iyer lunges and eases it to long off for one more run.

Shorter and going across. Kishan thumps it to deep cover and rotates the strike.

SIX! Ishan Kishan survives, much to the delight of the Indian faithful at Seddon Park. Flighted up, around off. Kishan collapses his back knee and is able to get under the ball as he swings down the ground. He does not quite get hold of it and Allen is in business at long on. Finn runs to his right and stays side on. He leaps to take the catch, and just before he goes over the ropes, he lobs it in the air and comes back in to take the catch. The third umpire is called into action. He has a couple of angles to work with, one from behind and one in front of Allen. He asks for a split screen and, after going through the footage frame by frame, concludes that Allen had not let go of the ball when his right toe landed on the ground.

Is that a clean catch? Finn Allen is unsure about it, and the third umpire has been called in to check. It is touch-and-go, with Allen's foot touching the ground over the ropes and him throwing the ball up. The split-screen shows that he just fails to release the ball in time. Ishan Kishan gets a life.

A decent Powerplay for both sides. New Zealand will be happy to get rid of both openers, but would have liked to concede a bit lesser. It's time for spin as Mitchell Santner brings himself into the attack.

Tickner finishes well. Nice and full, honing in on the off stump. It seams away a touch as Iyer presents a straight bat to block it out. At the end of the Powerplay, India are 50/2, with 27 runs coming off the last 2 overs.

Fractionally short and not all that wide either, Kishan slaps it to deep point and gets to the other end. India's 50 comes up.

FOUR! Good manipulation of the field. Cross-seam ball, on off and middle, on a good length. Kishan walks across the stumps and crouches to shovel it past the diving short fine leg fielder to his right. 12 runs off the over already, with 2 balls still to go.

Angled in at the hips, it kicks up a bit as Iyer nurdles it to the left of short fine leg for one.

Tucking the batter up for room, on a back of a length. Kishan is hurried on the pull but gets it away behind square leg for a single.

SIX! All the way. Tickner steams in from around the wicket, bowls it on a hard length, on off. Kishan's weight stays back, and he hops to flay it away. He uses the pace, and it flies over the deep third fence, where the fielder on the ropes is stationed square.

A double change as Blair Tickner comes on from the other end.

Short of a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer dabs it down to point. 16 runs off the over!

FOUR! Shot of the match so far! A half-volley and around off. Shreyas Iyer leans into the drive, meets the ball right under his eyes and creams it through covers for four more runs.

Dug into the surface, on middle and leg, Ishan Kishan hops up and hooks it through short fine leg for a run.

FOUR! Powered away! Length delivery, around off. Ishan Kishan stands tall, takes no half-measures and thumps it down to the long off fence for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer clips it towards mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Gets greeted with a bang! Nathan Smith serves this full, but angling into the pads. Shreyas Iyer picks it up and, using his wrists, whips it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

Nathan Smith comes into the attack as the first change.

Short of a length and outside off, Ishan Kishan hops up and cuts but finds point. Top over from Milne again!

Hard length and just around off, Ishan Kishan stabs it out towards cover.

This is excellent bowling! Just back of a length and on middle, it jags back in sharply. Ishan Kishan gets tucked up in his crease and fails to work it away, getting hit on his body.

Pitched up and outside off, angling further away, Ishan Kishan tries to reach out and throws his bat at it but misses.

It has started to drizzle, but we carry on for now.

WIDE! On a length but down the leg side, Ishan Kishan swings at it but misses. Wided.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

This is just the start the Kiwis would have hoped for. The Indian skipper, Shreyas Iyer, comes out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Adam Milne picks up a wicket on the first ball of his over once again. He goes fuller and on middle, gets it to shape away late. Sanju Samson stays in his crease and tries to flick it across the line but closes the bat face early. Gets a leading edge as the ball goes miles up in the air over extra cover, where Michael Bracewell runs over his right shoulder, keeps his eyes on the ball, and dives to take a superb catch. End of a scratchy stay from Samson. India are 19/2 now, with both openers back in the shed.

Hits the deck hard and around off, Sanju Samson opens the bat face and guides it towards backward point for one. Duffy ends the over well. After getting hit for 12 in the first 3, he gives away just 14 runs.

Swing and a miss! Touch fuller and on off, shaping away a touch. Sanju Samson moves to the leg side and tries to hit it through the line but misses.

Pace off, on a length and on off, Ishan Kishan pats it down towards point for a single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length and around leg, there to be put away. Ishan Kishan stays inside the line of it and, with a flick of the wrists, helps it to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Goes fuller and on middle, shaping in, Ishan Kishan flicks it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

SIX! Width on offer, and it disappears! Short of a length and well outside off. Ishan Kishan gets the chance to free his arms and smashes it over the deep point fence for the first biggie of the game.

Uppish but safe! Fuller one and on middle, shapes away again. Sanju Samson looks to clip it across the line but gets a leading edge that just drops over extra cover for a brace.

Nicely bowled! Dug into the surface, just around off, shaping away with some bounce. Sanju Samson is caught on his crease and just wafts at it, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short of a length and around leg, Ishan Kishan looks to hook it away but misses as the ball goes off his midriff towards square leg. A leg bye taken.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, shapes away a bit. Ishan Kishan shapes up for the pull but has to check his shot and keeps it out to the leg side.

Jaffa! Just back of a length and on middle, it nips away sharply off the deck. Ishan Kishan gets squared up, trying to play at it as the ball zips past the outside edge.

New Zealand strike early. Ishan Kishan is in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR....GONE! Adam Milne draws first blood right away. He lands this on a good length, on middle and leg. Abhishek Sharma backs away and tries to loft it down the ground, but this is just not full enough to get under it. He hits it from the toe-end of the bat as the ball goes straight up in the air. Daryl Mitchell at mid on settles under the high ball and takes a good catch. Abhishek departs cheaply, and India are 2/1 now.

A tidy start with the ball. Adam Milne will share the attack.

Hard length and on middle, angling into the batter. Sanju Samson backs away but does not have much room and clips it to square leg.

Extra bounce now! Jacob Duffy lands this on a back of a length and on off, takes off sharply. Sanju Samson stays back and has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pitched up and just on off, shapes away. Sanju Samson backs away and tries to go big down the ground but fails to connect as the ball dies down on the keeper.

Almost a mess-up! Fuller delivery, on middle, shaping in. Abhishek Sharma looks to loft it away but gets an inside edge towards deep square leg. Nathan Smith fails to judge the spin and overruns it to his right, but then dives in the opposite direction to stop it well. They cross.

Good fielding! Back of a length and on off, shaping away again. Sanju Samson opens the bat face again and steers it wide of short third. It travels quickly, but Blair Tickner dives to his right to make a half-stop. Just a single and India are underway!

Hint of movement! Jacob Duffy starts with a full delivery, on off, shaping away. Sanju Samson opens the bat face and pushes it to cover-point.

The national anthems are done, and it is time to get the ball rolling. Mitchell Santner leads his men out onto the park. It will be the power-packed duo of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to open the innings for India. Jacob Duffy has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Samson to take strike. A slip in place. Off we go...

We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, it is time for the national anthems. Mitchell Santner and Shreyas Iyer lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be India's national anthem first, followed by that of New Zealand.

A quick chat with the Indian head coach - Scott Styris has caught up with Gautam Gambhir. Gautam acknowledges the short turnaround after the West Indies series but gives credit to the boys for adapting to the conditions, especially with many of them playing here for the first time. He says they are well aware of how dangerous New Zealand can be in their own backyard and insists there is no room for complacency, even with the series sealed. Believes every game offers an opportunity to learn something different and evolve, adding that there are no dead rubbers in his philosophy or within the team. On his approach to selection and decision-making, he says it is not his job to make everyone happy or take popular decisions. In today's day and age, with social media scrutiny, it is easy to make popular calls, but he believes in making the right decisions and giving players a longer rope to ensure they have security within the dressing room.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (In for Mayank Yadav), Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy (In for Axar Patel).

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, and Blair Tickner (In for Matthew Fisher).

The skipper of India - Shreyas Iyer calls it a great occasion to play at this historic ground. He says they were going to bat first anyway, as they wanted to test themselves and get a feel for how the wicket behaves in the first innings. Adds that the dimensions in Auckland were different, but gives credit to Glenn Phillips for playing an incredible knock. Confirms two changes, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming in. Says Chakaravarthy has been waiting for his opportunity and even delivered a beautiful speech in the team huddle today.

The captain of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner is a bit surprised and cheekily says he just assumed he would lose the toss. Opts to bowl first and says that it looks like a new pitch and there might be a bit of dew later on. Santner adds that it is a challenge with the small grounds in New Zealand, but you have to adapt quickly to different dimensions. Reckons if there is some bounce like Eden Park, it would be nice. Mitch mentions that there was obviously something in the wicket in the last game which the seamers enjoyed. Informs that they have made one change, with Blair Tickner coming in for Matthew Fisher.

TOSS - Shreyas Iyer has won all four tosses so far in the series and has opted to chase each time. 'Heads' is the call from Iyer, but it lands as a Tail. Mitchell Santner finally wins a toss. New Zealand opt to BOWL first.

A fortress to protect - Seddon Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Black Caps, and it's easy to see why. They have won their last 15 completed games across formats at this venue, which is quite a run. Interestingly, the last time they tasted defeat here was against India in a T20I back in 2020. That game went to a Super Over, where New Zealand set India a target of 18 to win. With 10 required off the final two balls, Rohit Sharma stepped up and smashed back-to-back sixes to seal a memorable win. Here's hoping we have another game that keeps us hooked right till the very end.

Finding answers with the ball - Throughout the series, New Zealand have shown that they have the batting firepower to match the reigning T20I champions. It's been with the ball that they have fallen short, though, and the previous game showed just how important Powerplay wickets can be. The Kiwis will be looking to build on that performance and carry the same intensity into this final game as they look to sign off on a winning note.

An opportunity to shuffle things around - With the series already decided, there could be a few changes to the Indian XI. We might get to see either Varun Chakaravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav get a run, which would be interesting. India's bowling does look a little light on specialist options, but that's been a familiar feature of this side for a while now. They have preferred to pack their batting, even if it means going in with fewer specialist bowlers.

Final act - We are down to the fifth and final T20I of India's tour of New Zealand. The Men in Blue sealed the series in Wellington, but in Auckland, the Black Caps showed what they are capable of when it all clicks together for them. That makes this final game an opportunity for both sides to sign off on a high and carry some momentum into the ODI leg. Hamilton's Seddon Park is set for a lively Sunday night, with a sell-out crowd adding to the atmosphere.

... MATCH DAY ...

Four done, one left - Auckland is in the rear-view mirror, and the road south ends in Kirikiriroa, better known as Hamilton, where this five-match T20I series plays its final hand. India have already pocketed the series at 3-1, but New Zealand hit back hard in the fourth game, enough to leave a dent in India’s armour and a spring in their own step. One side wants to sign off with a flourish, and the other wants to leave a sting in the tail. The Hamilton memories - Seddon Park has seen these two sides push each other to the limit. In 2020, 40 overs of cricket left them level on 179, and a Super Over had to settle it. New Zealand got off to a flier, with Williamson and Guptill smashing 17 from those six balls, and for a moment the Kiwis had the upper hand. But Rohit Sharma had other plans. Facing Tim Southee, with 10 needed off two balls, he took the contest into his own hands, and India came away with the win. The ledger at Seddon Park is perfectly balanced. These two have met on this ground just twice, and the Kiwis edged home in a nervy finish in 2019. India hit back the following year, so it stands at 1-1, and the decider here will come with a fresh page to write on. Worked in sync - Through this series, New Zealand had been a side with one half of the puzzle in hand, never quite getting both pieces to sit together. Auckland finally gave them the whole picture. First, they hammered their highest T20I total, smashing 259. India’s boisterous batting unit, swaggering all series, then met a bowling attack with a point to prove, one that executed its plans with lethal precision and left the Men in Blue sunk. Santner's calm amid the carnage - Bowlers on both sides have been hammered through this series, which makes the Kiwi skipper's numbers stand out all the more. His economy of 6.73 with 9 wickets is the best on either team, and in a contest where runs have been smashed above the ceiling, that kind of control has made him the one bowler batters have struggled to take liberties against. The hosts' biggest headache remains the first six overs, despite having plenty of pace-bowling options. Jacob Duffy did enough in the last game to turn heads with his four-wicket haul, the best of spells of the series, yet it papered over a Powerplay that has been a runaway train. India have galloped to 94/1, 44/1, 118/0 and 61/4 in that window, and it is here that the Kiwis would be aiming to tighten the screws. Phillips, the tormentor - Everyone has batted big in this series, yet Glenn Phillips has managed to stand apart from the crowd. His tally of 276 runs tops the charts, built on a pair of half-centuries and then a century in Auckland that dragged New Zealand to their highest T20I total ever. No one has cleared the rope more often either, with 17 sixes so far. Add the energy and impact he brings in the field, and it is hard to find a corner of this series he has not touched. Here is the quirk that stands out. India may have taken the series on the back of some outstanding batting, yet when you look at the run charts, four of the top five names wear Kiwi colours. Phillips leads the way, and Mitchell, Jacobs and Allen follow in sequence, with Abhishek sandwiched in the second spot. But each of them is past the hundred-run mark, which says plenty about the depth of this batting group. Bracewell was the latest, flexing his muscles with a breathtaking 65 in the last game, which suggests the supply of match-winners is not drying up anytime soon. Dents in the armour - The Men in Blue, on the other hand, are coming off their second-biggest defeat in the shortest format till date, losing by 87 runs while chasing 260. Their series so far has been defined by aggression and strong starts, with the early overs laying the foundation for three massive successful chases, chiefly engineered by Abhishek Sharma. Yet, for all that dominance, the vulnerabilities exposed in that heavy loss are impossible to ignore. The rest of India's batting has been a hit-and-miss affair. Sanju Samson's 67 in the opening match set the tone, but he has faded in the three games since. The same holds true for Shreyas Iyer and the others in the middle order, who are yet to find sustained form in the series. Ishan Kishan, batting at the crucial number three position, has managed just one run across the two matches he has featured in. Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma have stepped up with repair jobs, but last time out, they were left with far too much to do. Under the pump - India's weakest link, though, has been their bowling unit. Since the home series against the West Indies, they have conceded 200 or more on five occasions in nine matches, and on three of those occasions, the opposition has crossed 240. What was once an occasional lapse has started to look like a worrying pattern, with the attack struggling to contain batters. Even the metronomic Bhuvneshwar Kumar was left out of the XI last time around, having leaked runs in all three of his appearances while managing just one wicket. Arshdeep Singh has been their best bowler with 9 wickets to his name, and is their most economical bowler so far. Other than that, the tourists have rotated their bowlers with the Yadav duo - Prince and Mayank - as the second line of attack, proving a bit threatening on these bouncy and pacy wickets. Yet the run leakage has persisted, with India's fifth and sixth bowling options proving unable to stem the tide when the pressure is on. Axar Patel's ineffectiveness adds to the concern, with the spinner managing just two wickets in four matches. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - NZ - WLLLW | IND - LWWWL. What to expect? Unlike Auckland or Wellington, which have their own distinct dimensions, Seddon Park is a fairly balanced ground with conventional boundaries. Historically, it has offered a good batting surface, with the average first-innings score around 180. That has proven advantageous, as teams batting first have won 8 of the 14 T20Is played here. In the last T20I played here, between New Zealand and South Africa in January earlier this year, 175 was successfully defended, with the hosts sealing a fairly big win. That result only reinforced the venue's trend of favouring teams batting first, where a par total can prove enough if the bowlers execute well.