Glenn Phillips may have had limited opportunities with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, but the New Zealand batter believes the experience helped shape his impressive run against India, where he has emerged as the leading scorer with 276 runs in four matches.Glenn Phillips credits IPL stint with Gujarat Titans for success vs India in T20Is (AP Photo) Brief Score, 4th T20I: New Zealand (259 for 7 in 20 overs) beat India (172 for 9 in 20 overs) by 87 runs at Eden Park, Auckland. Scorecard | HighlightsNew Zealand batter Glenn Phillips may not have enjoyed the best of times with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, but he believes the experience of being part of the franchise has played a significant role in his impressive performances against India in the ongoing T20I series.Phillips produced a match-winning 107 in the fourth T20I against India in Auckland, helping New Zealand register an emphatic 87-run victory and avoid a series whitewash.
The 29-year-old has been the standout batter for the visitors, topping the run charts with 276 runs in four matches at an average of 92. His tally includes a century and two half-centuries.While his performances have made headlines, Phillips believes there is more to an IPL stint than just the runs scored or the opportunities received.
The right-hander featured in only six matches for Gujarat Titans during IPL 2026, scoring 67 runs with a highest score of 25. However, the time he spent with the franchise gave him access to quality facilities, experienced coaches and valuable opportunities to work on his game."The IPL is a certain beast of its own and the balance of teams being one of eight overseas (players) with only four spots (in the eleven) makes it quite tough.
So, if you don't go out there and set the world on fire, there's always another person waiting in line," Phillips said during the post-match press conference.PHILLIPS ON LEARNINGS FROM IPL STINT Phillips was quick to point out that limited playing opportunities do not necessarily mean a player cannot take something valuable away from the tournament.He credited Gujarat Titans for providing him with the environment and resources to improve his batting, adding that players must make the most of such opportunities even when they are not part of the playing XI."At Gujarat, I was very lucky to have some unbelievable facilities, some great coaches and plenty of time to work (on his batting). I also showed in England as well, being able to have volume (of runs) under the belt, whether it's red ball or white ball."Yes, you'd love to score runs in the IPL and, you know, make a load of cash, and that would be fantastic.
But also, there are a lot of learnings that you can take from that place, whether you're playing or not. I think that is also on each individual who is at the IPL or at any other tournament, to be able to make the most out of where they go," he added.His recent performances have also been backed by a productive outing in the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy against England earlier this year.
Phillips scored 181 runs across four innings at an average of 60, including a century, as New Zealand won the series 2-1.The result also marked a significant moment for New Zealand cricket, with England's defeat signalling the end of the Brendon McCullum-inspired Bazball era.PHILLIPS EXPLAINS WHY HE DID NOT FIELDPhillips also addressed concerns after he did not take the field during India's run chase in Auckland. The New Zealand batter said he experienced cramps but insisted that his absence was largely a precautionary measure."I think it's just a little bit of stiffness that I felt early on in the innings.
But it felt a lot better as we ran through the game, and I think it was more precautionary rather than risking an injury this early on in the season," he said.Reflecting on New Zealand's imposing total, Phillips admitted that the visitors knew they needed a substantial score to put India's powerful batting line-up under pressure.He also enjoyed watching captain Michael Bracewell's explosive contribution from the other end, as New Zealand pushed towards a total of 250-plus."Yeah, it was a lot of fun also being at the other end while (Michael) Bracewell was going bananas. Obviously, crazy things happen at Eden Park all the time, and it was a fantastic pitch.
Obviously, you need a tonne of runs to even have a sniff of beating India."So, it's for us to be able to put that sort of score on the board today. I guess it'll give us confidence going forward that we can get a score of that size, and it's our first time being up in that 250 range," Phillips added.- Ends