India Clinches T20I Series Against New Zealand Despite Final Match Loss
Gautam Gambhir Praises Team Effort After Series Win
Hamilton [New Zealand], November 1: Following India's triumph in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, head coach Gautam Gambhir commended the team's unified performance. Despite a seven-wicket loss in the final match at Seddon Park on Sunday, India secured the series 3-2.
Gambhir took to X to express his pride in the team's collective spirit, stating, "Built as a Team. Won as a Team. Always for India."
Built as a Team. Won as a Team. Always for India https://t.co/uVnCXzz6jg
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 1, 2026
India had already established a commanding 3-0 lead in the series after winning the first three T20Is. However, New Zealand made a strong comeback by winning the last two matches, concluding the series at 3-2.
In the fifth T20I, New Zealand chased down a target of 192 runs, winning by seven wickets in just 18 overs. Tim Seifert was instrumental in this victory, scoring a remarkable 93 runs off 50 balls, which included 11 fours and five sixes. Glenn Phillips also played a crucial role, remaining not out at 65 from 38 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes.
The pair formed a significant partnership, adding 86 runs for the third wicket, which set New Zealand on the path to victory. Phillips' performance marked his fourth half-century of the series, placing him alongside Mohammad Rizwan and S Ravichandran as players who have scored four or more fifties in a bilateral T20I series.
Earlier in the match, India faced a challenging start at 19/2 but recovered through a solid 93-run partnership between Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer. Kishan scored 61 runs off 32 balls, while Iyer contributed 50 runs off 23 balls. Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy added 33 and 22 runs, respectively, helping India to a total of 191/8 in their allotted overs.
New Zealand's Adam Milne was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for just 19 runs. Despite India's competitive score, Seifert and Phillips led New Zealand to a comfortable victory with 14 balls remaining.