Glenn Phillips plays a switch-hit for the ages, stuns Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 1st T20I

Glenn Phillips produced a remarkable finish to New Zealand’s first innings at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 22, pulling off a switch-hit off the final delivery of the match to send the ball to the cover boundary for four. The shot came off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 20th over and completed a stunning unbeaten knock that powered New Zealand to 225/4 in 20 overs against India in the 1st T20I.

A clip of the shot was shared on X by user @Visharad_KW22, drawing wide attention to the moment. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also reacted on X, praising the phenomenal shot.

“The most atrocious shot i have seen on the cricketing field vs fast bowler He is Something. Extraordinary!’ Pathan’s post was noted across cricket circles.

Phillips finished with an individual score of 82 not out off 40 balls, striking 8 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 205.00. The switch-hit boundary off the last ball of the innings was the shot that brought up New Zealand’s final total of 225/4, which is their joint-highest T20I score against India.

New Zealand reach joint-highest T20I total against India

Bhuvneshwar had been bowling yorkers effectively during the final over before Phillips switched his stance and drove the full delivery over the cover boundary for four. Bhuvneshwar ended the match with figures of 4 overs, 0 wickets for 49 runs at an economy rate of 12.25. He had also required physio attention after being struck on the wrist during the middle overs.

India were penalised for a slow over-rate in the final over, which brought an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle for that last over. The 1st T20I was played between New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, and India, captained by Shreyas Iyer.

Iyer won the toss and opted to field first on a surface which had something on offer for the fast bowler operating with the new ball. However, the opening partnership of 49 runs in five overs between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert set the foundation for the hosts to post a daunting total.