Glenn Phillips stunned viewers with an audacious switch-hit boundary off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the final over of New Zealand’s innings against India in Christchurch. The remarkable stroke caught former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s attention as Phillips finished unbeaten on 82 off 40 balls.
India opted to bowl first at Hagley Oval on Thursday, October 22, but New Zealand’s batters took control and posted 225. The home team, led by Mitchell Santner, had their highest T20I total against India. Phillips stole the show with his explosive hitting, scoring 82 runs off 40 balls with eight fours and three sixes.
Glenn Phillips Punishes Bhuvneshwar Kumar With Brilliant Shot
On the final delivery of the 20th over, Phillips switched his stance, dropped to one knee and smashed the full ball over the cover boundary for four. The unconventional stroke prompted a reaction from Pathan, who described it as the “most atrocious shot ever.”
"That last ball shot from Glenn Phillips is the most atrocious shot i have seen on the cricketing field vs fast bowler. He is Something. Extraordinary!" Pathan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Glen phillips you are just incredible How the hell he played this shot that too against a fast bowler 🥶🥶☠️ https://t.co/LD52yn7Cww
— SimplyMe (@6760Anmol) October 22, 2026
That last ball shot from Glenn Phillips is the most atrocious shot i have seen on the cricketing field vs fast bowler. He is Something. Extraordinary!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 22, 2026
Bhuvneshwar had a difficult return to international cricket. He finished wicketless and conceded 49 runs. India’s bowlers struggled to contain New Zealand’s aggressive batting, with all of them conceding more than 10 runs per over.
Glenn Phillips Leads New Zealand to Record Total Against India
New Zealand made an aggressive start after being asked to bat, reaching 65/1 at the end of the powerplay. Mayank Yadav provided India with the first breakthrough by dismissing Tim Seifert for 24.
Axar Patel later removed Finn Allen for 45, but Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell kept the scoring rate high with a 42-run partnership for the third wicket. Mitchell eventually fell for 28. Phillips then combined with Jacobs for a 73-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Jacobs struck 31 off 16 balls before a run-out ended his innings, while Glenn Phillips continued his assault to finish unbeaten on 82 off 40 deliveries. New Zealand finished on 225/4, equalling their highest T20I total against India.
The score also became the second-highest T20I total at Hagley Oval, behind England’s 236/4 against New Zealand in 2025. New Zealand, England and the West Indies now have 29 totals of 200 or more in T20Is, behind India’s 57 and South Africa’s 31.
Bevon Jacobs Backs New Zealand's Batters Ahead of Chase
Bevon Jacobs made an immediate impact by launching his first delivery for a six that travelled 96 metres. Speaking during the innings break, he said he enjoyed the start and credited Phillips for helping him stay composed while continuing to attack.
"It was pretty cool to get out there, get started like that, and continue on what the boys at the top left on the table, so that was pretty cool. I was obviously surrounded by a lot of experience there with GP going off as well and keeping my head on straight."
"Look, obviously I think with the new ball it's always going to offer something a little bit more. There was a bit of swing and a little bit off the surface, but as the ball got older, I think it became a true surface, and the boys really made that count, and we got a good total on the board."
Also read: Full list of Indian cricketers with 100 T20I matches, ft Arshdeep Singh, Virat Kohli
