Tim Seifert played a pivotal innings in New Zealand’s seven-wicket victory over India in the final Twenty20 international, but the result was insufficient to prevent the visitors from securing the series 3-2. The match took place on Sunday at Hamilton’s Seddon Park.
After a slow start to the series, Seifert came to form, scoring 93 runs off 50 balls. His aggressive batting featured 11 fours and five sixes as New Zealand chased down a target of 192, finishing at 195 for 3 in 18 overs. Seifert’s dismissal in the 16th over, when he was caught playing on to Nitish Kumar Reddy, denied him a maiden international century despite reaching his 18th T20 half-century. Glenn Phillips supported the chase, remaining unbeaten on 65 and concluding the series with a record-breaking 341 runs, the highest ever scored by a player in a bilateral T20 series. Phillips also made a century in the fourth game in Auckland.
Earlier, New Zealand pacer Adam Milne was instrumental in restricting India to 191 for 8. Milne took 4 wickets for 19 runs, effectively dismantling India’s top order after early breakthroughs. In response, India's batting was bolstered by half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer. The pair added a quick 93-run partnership for the third wicket but fell in quick succession, with Kishan scoring 61 and Iyer 50. Iyer acknowledged that despite establishing momentum, the loss of wickets hindered their ability to build a bigger total. He also noted the challenges posed by seam movement on the pitch and admitted his team could have improved both bowling and fielding during the match.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner reflected on the series, attributing the team’s failure to win earlier matches to small margins and missed opportunities, such as crucial dropped catches in tight games at Christchurch. Santner emphasized that these moments significantly impacted the overall series outcome but also highlighted positive aspects in New Zealand’s performance.
Looking ahead, the two teams are scheduled to begin a five-match One Day International series in Auckland on Wednesday, followed by two Test matches.