Glenn Phillips scripts history with explosive century against India, equals Martin Guptill's all-time New Zealand record

New Zealand's dynamic all-rounder Glenn Phillips etched his name into the record books on Friday, hammering a scintillating century against India in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park, Auckland.

Phillips' match-winning masterclass not only powered the Black Caps to an emphatic 87-run victory but also earned him his 10th Player of the Match (POTM) award in the format, drawing him level with former opener Martin Guptill for the most POTM honors for New Zealand in men's T20Is.  

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A Blitzkrieg At Eden Park  

Walking in with New Zealand aiming to dictate terms, Glenn Phillips launched a breathtaking assault on the Indian bowling attack. Combining calculated aggression with brute power, the 29-year-old Phillips dismantled both pace and spin to race to his century in just 46 deliveries, finishing on a blistering 107 off 49 balls.

His knock featured trademark switch-hits, clean down-the-ground strikes, and ferocious pulling through the leg side, propelling the hosts to an imposing total that proved far beyond India's reach.

Equaling Martin Guptill's Landmark

The impressive performance made Phillips the automatic choice for the Player of the Match award. In doing so, he reached 10 career POTM accolades in T20 Internationals, equaling the long-standing national record held by Martin Guptill.

Most POTM awards for New Zealand in T20Is

10 - Glenn Phillips (101 T20Is)

10 - Martin Guptill (122)

7 - Colin Munro (65)

7 - Finn Allen Allen (66)

7 - Brendon McCullum (71)

7 - Tim Seifert (94)

Phillips also set a new record for the most runs by a batter in a bilateral T20I series against India. 
Most runs in a T20I series vs India

276 G Phillips in New Zealand in 2026
261 S Hope in India 2026
229 H Brook in England 2026
221 S Rutherford in India 2026
184 N Pooran in India 2022

Series Context And Broader Impact

India had dominated the first three matches to take an unassailable 3-0 lead, with Phillips contributing solid knocks of 82 not out and 70 that went in vain. His century in Auckland not only ended New Zealand's drought but also highlighted his growing stature as the team’s premier middle-order aggressor and one of the most dangerous batters in world T20 cricket.

New Zealand’s record total and Phillips' fireworks provided a fitting response after the early series setbacks. With one match remaining, the Black Caps will look to build on this performance, while India aim to close out the series with another win.

Phillips' latest feat cements his place among New Zealand's modern T20 greats, equalling a legend in Guptill while continuing to rewrite record books with the bat.