GAWAH News Desk | November 2, 2026
New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in the fifth and final T20 International at Hamilton on Sunday, November 1, but India finished the series as 3–2 winners. Tim Seifert’s 93 off 50 balls and Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 65 powered the hosts to 195/3 in 18 overs after India had posted 191/8.
Phillips also set a new record for the most runs in a five-match bilateral men’s T20I series, finishing with 341. He moved past England’s Phil Salt, who had scored 331 in a five-match series in 2023. The ICC confirmed the milestone in its match report.
How did New Zealand win the fifth T20I?
India chose to bat first and were in trouble at 19/2 after early wickets. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer rebuilt the innings with a 93-run partnership. Kishan made 61 from 32 balls, while Iyer scored 50 from 23 deliveries. India eventually reached 191/8 in 20 overs.
New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne was the most effective bowler, taking 4/19. His spell helped prevent India from turning the recovery into a total beyond 200.
Chasing 192, New Zealand lost Finn Allen early, but Seifert counter-attacked and kept the required rate under control. He struck 11 fours and five sixes in his 93. Phillips stayed unbeaten on 65 from 38 balls as New Zealand reached the target with two overs to spare.
Glenn Phillips breaks the five-match T20I series record
Phillips finished the five-match series with 341 runs, surpassing Phil Salt’s previous record of 331. The New Zealand batter combined consistency with power hitting throughout the tour, including a century in the fourth T20I at Auckland. His final-match 65 not out carried him beyond Salt’s mark and gave the series a notable individual record despite India winning the contest overall.
The record refers specifically to the highest run aggregate in a five-match bilateral men’s T20I series. It should not be confused with the overall record for runs in any T20I series of a different length or tournament format.
Who were the key performers in the final?
- Tim Seifert (New Zealand): 93 off 50 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes.
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand): 65 not out off 38 balls; 341 runs across the series.
- Ishan Kishan (India): 61 off 32 balls.
- Shreyas Iyer (India): 50 off 23 balls.
- Adam Milne (New Zealand): 4 wickets for 19 runs.
India still take the series 3–2
New Zealand’s victory was a consolation win because India had already secured the five-match series by winning the first three games. New Zealand responded with victories in Auckland and Hamilton, finishing the series with back-to-back wins. The result gives both teams a competitive lead-in to the next format, but India’s overall T20I series win remains 3–2.
When is the first India vs New Zealand ODI?
The teams switch to one-day cricket on Wednesday, November 4, at Eden Park in Auckland. The Board of Control for Cricket in India lists the first ODI for 2:00 AM UTC, which is 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time. The five-match ODI series is scheduled to continue through November 15.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the fifth India vs New Zealand T20I?
New Zealand won by seven wickets, chasing India’s 192-run target in 18 overs.
Did India win the T20I series?
Yes. India won the five-match series 3–2 after taking the first three matches.
Who scored the most runs in the fifth T20I?
Tim Seifert top-scored with 93 from 50 balls for New Zealand.
What record did Glenn Phillips set?
Phillips scored 341 runs, the highest aggregate in a five-match bilateral men’s T20I series, surpassing Phil Salt’s 331.
When is the first ODI between India and New Zealand?
The first ODI is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland. The BCCI lists the start time as 7:30 AM IST.
Sources
- BCCI: Official fifth T20I match centre and result
- ICC: New Zealand underline batting might in Hamilton chase
- Reuters: Seifert guides New Zealand to consolation win over India
- BCCI: First ODI match centre, November 4
Related GAWAH coverage: Abhishek Sharma’s 35-ball century in the third T20I and India’s second T20I win in Christchurch.
Featured image is a representative cricket match photograph, not an image of the India–New Zealand fifth T20I. Photo: Srinivas Silwer / Unsplash.
