Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled with the ball in the fourth Twenty20 International against New Zealand on October 30, 2026, in Auckland’s Eden Park, conceding 64 runs in four overs at an economy rate of 16.00. He only took one wicket, Glenn Phillips, but the damage was already done.
Nitish Kumar‘s figures place him among the most expensive Indian bowlers in T20I history, alongside Yuzvendra Chahal and Varun Chakravarthy. Phillips hit 32 runs in the 16th over, including four consecutive sixes, the second-highest number of runs conceded by an Indian bowler in a single Twenty20 International over. That was the same amount that Stuart Binny conceded in a single over against the West Indies at Lauderhill in 2016.
Against India, New Zealand posted their highest T20I total of 259/7. Phillips anchored the innings with a superb 107 off 49 balls, including six fours and ten sixes, his third T20I century. Michael Bracewell followed up with a fast 65 off 25 balls. For the fifth wicket, the two collaborated for 115 runs.
India’s other bowlers also struggled: Naman Dhir was removed for 16 in his single over, and Axar Patel conceded 43 runs in three overs. Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson were both dismissed by Jacob Duffy’s two strikes in the first over, and India was never able to recover, finishing at 172/9 and losing by 87 runs.
What was the difference between New Zealand’s death-over attack and their previous T20I record vs India?
This innings is one of the most devastating second-half batting efforts India has faced in T20I cricket, thanks to the devastation in the final ten overs in Auckland. In Guwahati in 2022, India conceded 151 runs in overs 11-20 against South Africa, the second-highest total during that period.
at a 2026 game at Southampton, England’s hitters scored 146 runs in the same overs, placing third on the rankings. Both of those benchmarks were surpassed by New Zealand’s assault at Eden Park, indicating how comprehensively Phillips and Bracewell demolished India’s bowling in the second half of the match.
Although the visitors had already established an insurmountable lead heading into the final game, the defeat reduced India’s lead in the five-game series.
On the list of the most expensive Indian T20I spells, where does Nitish Kumar’s 64-run spell rank?
Nitish Kumar’s four-over haul of 64 runs in Auckland ties him for second position among Indian bowlers’ most expensive bowling periods in Twenty20 Internationals. Prasidh Krishna, who conceded 68 runs against Australia at Guwahati in 2023, has the worst record on the list.
Nitish Kumar’s 64-run spell presently ranks among two other notable spells: Chakravarthy’s 64-run stint against England at Wankhede in 2026 and Chahal’s 64-run performance against South Africa at Centurion in 2018. On that ranking, all three tie for second place.
Indian bowlers’ most expensive bowling periods in T20 Internationals
| Bowler | Runs conceded | Overs | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prasidh Krishna | 68 | 4 | Australia | Guwahati | 2023 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 64 | 4 | New Zealand | Auckland | 2026 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 64 | 4 | South Africa | Centurion | 2018 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | 64 | 4 | England | Wankhede | 2026 |
Phillips’ 16th-over onslaught, which cost Reddy 32 runs, matched Binny’s 2016 record for the second-most runs conceded by an Indian bowler in a single Twenty20 International over. Even as India prepares for the fifth and final Twenty20 International, Reddy will want to forget about the match.
Aditya Sharma is a passionate cricket writer who covers the latest match updates, player performances, team news, and major developments from the cricket world. His writing combines clear reporting with an easy-to-understand style, helping readers stay updated without unnecessary complexity.
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