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

Team India’s unbeaten run against New Zealand in T20Is on their home ground ended 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 victory.India had not lost a T20I against New Zealand in New Zealand in 10 consecutive matches between 2020 and 2026. However, Friday’s defeat brought that impressive run to an end.The 87-run loss was also India’s second-biggest defeat by runs in T20I cricket. Despite the setback, Shreyas Iyer‘s side have already secured the five-match series with a 3-1 lead.

New Zealand bring India’s unbeaten streak to an end

India’s 10-match unbeaten run against New Zealand in New Zealand was one of the longest unbeaten streaks between Full Member teams in T20I cricket. The only longer run among the listed records was India’s 11-match unbeaten streak against Sri Lanka in India between 2016 and 2023.New Zealand had 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 delivered the all-round performance they had been waiting for. Their batters put up a huge total before the bowlers produced an equally impressive show to secure a convincing win.

Longest unbeaten streak against an opponent in a country (Full Member sides)

India’s 10-match unbeaten streak against New Zealand in New Zealand ended on October 30, 2026.

Phillips, Bracewell lead New Zealand’s batting charge

New Zealand made full use of the opportunity after India elected to bowl first. The hosts smashed 259/7 in 20 overs, registering their highest-ever T20I total. Phillips led the attack 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 only 41 deliveries, completely changing 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 and steady the innings. The real damage, however, came when Phillips and Bracewell joined forces. Both batters attacked the Indian bowlers and scored runs at a remarkable pace.Phillips went after Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 16th over, smashing four consecutive sixes. India conceded 32 runs in that over.Bracewell also took on Axar Patel, hitting 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, showing how quickly he accelerated.New Zealand collected 85 runs in the final five overs to finish at 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 claimed one wicket each. Arshdeep also reached a major milestone, becoming the first Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in T20Is.

Duffy leads New Zealand’s attack as India collapse

India needed a strong start to chase down 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 early wickets put India under immediate pressure.The visitors struggled to recover from the setback. Abhishek Sharma scored 27 off 15 balls, while captain 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 hit the ball straight to Mitchell Santner in the covers.Iyer also failed to stay for long as Adam Milne bowled him with a delivery clocked at 143 kmph.Santner kept the pressure on the Indian batters and picked up two wickets, preventing them from building partnerships.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 claimed two.India ended their innings at 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

India will now look to end the series with a win when they face New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I on Sunday at Seddon Park in Hamilton.