16:50 IST:
Phillips lights up Auckland – 198 wasn’t enough, 180 wasn’t enough, and even 225 wasn’t enough. New Zealand answered with a brutal display of power-hitting, piling up 259, the highest total of the series. With a couple of starts in the top order, Glenn Phillips took charge yet again, this time with Michael Bracewell joining him in the 11th over. Together, they turned the match into a slaughter, smashing 115 runs in a whirlwind partnership. Bracewell tore to a 19-ball fifty, while Phillips, already owner of two 50-plus scores in the series, climbed another level and reached three figures. He batted as though his bat had only a middle and no edges, connecting almost everything and punishing every bowler who dared to bowl at him. For India, this was the third time they conceded 250-plus in an innings in T20Is this year alone. Mayank Yadav made some impact with a three-for, but was taken to the cleaners just like the others.