For three matches India answered every New Zealand total by chasing it down. In Auckland on Friday there was nothing to chase until New Zealand had made 259/7, the highest total of the series by 34 runs, and India lost by 87 runs. The series is still India’s, 3–1, with one match left at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Sunday 1 November. The question for that game is less about the batting, which has scored freely all tour, and more about the bowling group India picked and how they used it.
What the scorecard confirms
New Zealand’s 259/7 came with Phillips’ 107 off 49 balls (six fours, ten sixes) and Michael Bracewell’s 65 off 25. Finn Allen added 31 off 17 and Daryl Mitchell 24 off 9. The innings ran at 12.95 an over and included 10 extras: seven wides, two no-balls and a leg bye. India’s response ended at 172/9, led by Tilak Varma’s 35 off 35 and Naman Dhir’s 28 off 13, with Jacob Duffy taking four wickets for 23 and Mitchell Santner two for 24.
India’s bowling figures add up to the total: 48 + 38 + 49 + 64 + 43 + 16 = 258, plus one leg bye, gives 259. The wickets are not the story, because Mayank Yadav took three, but the cost is. Prince Yadav went for 49 in four overs and Nitish Kumar Reddy for 64, the most expensive figures in the innings. Shreyas Iyer said afterwards that India fell short with the ball, particularly in the powerplay, and credited Phillips’ shot-making. One report says Phillips took 32 runs, including four sixes, from Reddy’s over in the 16th.
| India bowler | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Runs per over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayank Yadav | 4 | 48 | 3 | 12.00 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 |
| Prince Yadav | 4 | 49 | 1 | 12.25 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 4 | 64 | 1 | 16.00 |
| Axar Patel | 3 | 43 | 1 | 14.33 |
| Naman Dhir | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16.00 |
The selection behind the figures
India’s XI for Auckland, as listed at the toss, was Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav. Sooryavanshi and Bhuvneshwar were left out. A pre-match report noted Bhuvneshwar had taken one wicket in the first three games while conceding 139 runs in 12 overs. Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube were among the players outside the XI.
The effect, as we read it, was a side with five regular bowling options and a sixth in Dhir. That is a normal shape for a T20 side, but it leaves little room when two of the five have a bad day. Across the series New Zealand have scored 225/4, 180/5, 198/3 and 259/7, which is 862 runs for 19 wickets in 80 overs, or 10.78 an over. India’s batting has outscored all of those totals except the last, and the bowling has not yet had to defend one.
DREM analysis: three questions
Is it a bowling problem or a ground problem? Both claims are supportable. Iyer pointed to Eden Park’s small dimensions and bounce as unfamiliar for some of his players. A short ground raises the cost of every mistake, and Phillips punished them. But the extras (seven wides, two no-balls) are about control, not size.
Did chasing hide the issue? Possibly. India chased in all three earlier games, two of them to the last over, so their bowling was never tested as the defending side. The Auckland result does not change that India’s first three wins were genuine, but it does show how the bowling looks when the batting side is the one under pressure.
What happens in Hamilton? Nothing is confirmed. India have one day between matches, Iyer spoke of going “back to the drawing board”, and the series is won. A rotation, or the return of a spinner, is plausible but only the team sheet will say.
New Zealand’s side of it
New Zealand’s changes were as notable. Santner said Nathan Smith returned for Kyle Jamieson, and New Zealand Cricket’s earlier update said Lockie Ferguson would rejoin for the final two T20Is. He was not in the Auckland XI, and Matthew Fisher played, so confirm his status. Matt Henry has moved to the ODI squad. Blair Tickner is in the T20I group but was not picked in Auckland.
Fantasy checks before Hamilton
These are checks, not picks, and nothing here promises points.
- Wait for the XI. India changed their bowling group in Auckland, and one day between matches leaves little time to reset.
- Check bowling roles. Who bowls in the powerplay and at the death changes how many overs and wickets a bowler can contribute.
- Compare grounds. Seddon Park is a different venue from Eden Park; look for a pitch report and the forecast, which we have not seen.
- Look at the toss. India have bowled first every time. A different call changes which team faces the new ball in the second innings.
- Read your contest rules. Captain multipliers and bowling bonuses vary; see our captain guide, pitch guide and scoring primer.
One heavy loss does not undo three wins, but it does name the soft spot. India’s batting has not been the issue; the figures say the bowling mix is. The most useful thing in Hamilton is not the scoreline from Auckland, but whether India change the shape of their attack.
Quick questions
What happened in the fourth T20I?
New Zealand made 259/7 at Eden Park on Friday 30 October 2026 and bowled India out for 172/9, winning by 87 runs. India lead the series 3–1.
When is the fifth T20I?
Sunday 1 November 2026 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Check the official match centre for the local start time and the confirmed XIs.
Which India bowlers played in Auckland?
Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel bowled four overs or three, with Naman Dhir bowling one. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was left out, and Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy did not play.
Is this fantasy advice?
No. The article lists things to check, such as roles, conditions and the confirmed XI. Contest rules vary by platform and nothing here guarantees points.
For the earlier coverage, see our Auckland preview, the opening-pair analysis and the match centre.
Sources
Scorecard, extras, bowling figures and result: Business Standard, NZ vs IND 4th T20I. Toss, both XIs and changes: Outlook India, 4th T20I live blog. Iyer’s comments and the 32-run over: India.com and Circle of Cricket. New Zealand squad movements and the remaining fixtures: ICC, New Zealand announce key updates. Totals from the first three matches are from the results already published on this site.