India's batting collapse gets no mention as Shreyas Iyer reflects on Auckland defeat

Shreyas Iyer focused on India's bowling struggles and Glenn Phillips' stunning century after the 87-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I. The captain offered no assessment of India's batting collapse as the visitors fell well short of 260.Shreyas Iyer did not address India's poor batting at the fourth T20I against New Zealand. (Image: AFP)Auckland,Oct 30, 2026 17:35 ISTIndia captain Shreyas Iyer had plenty to say after his side's 87-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday. There was one subject he didn't touch, though. India's batting collapse.Chasing 260, India never got close. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan fell in the opening over, the visitors slipped to 61 for four in the powerplay and eventually finished at 172 for nine. It was a rare off-day for India's batting unit, but it barely featured in Iyer's post-match assessment.Instead, the captain focused on the bowling performance, particularly the damage New Zealand inflicted in the powerplay. He also had plenty of praise for Glenn Phillips, whose 107 off 49 balls powered the hosts to 259 for seven. Michael Bracewell provided the perfect support, smashing 65 off just 25 deliveries.NZ vs IND, 4th T20I: Scorecard | Highlights Phillips was particularly destructive against Nitish Kumar Reddy. He took 32 runs off the 16th over, hitting four consecutive sixes to put New Zealand firmly in control. Phillips and Bracewell combined for 16 sixes, accounting for most of New Zealand's 20 maximums."We fell short in our bowling. The powerplay, especially in the third over, they got the momentum thereon. Exceptional shots from Glenn, some phenomenal shots, pure bliss," Iyer said at the post-match presentation ceremony. The Indian captain acknowledged that the bowling unit had failed to contain New Zealand's aggressive approach. He also called Phillips' innings exceptional and admitted that India had plenty to learn from the New Zealand batter, who has been consistent throughout the series.But what about India's own batting? There was no assessment of the collapse, despite the early dismissals of Samson and Kishan leaving the chase in disarray. Abhishek Sharma managed just 27, while Iyer himself made 22 before being bowled by Adam Milne.FOCUS SHIFTS TO HAMILTONWith the series already secured, India will have one more opportunity to address their shortcomings when the teams meet in Hamilton for the fifth and final T20I. Iyer said the side needed to review its performance and find a way to respond."Important to retrospect, we have to see how to bounce back. I feel we can go back to the drawing board and execute," he said.Iyer also spoke about the challenge of adapting to Eden Park's dimensions. The Auckland venue is among the smaller grounds in international cricket, with unusual boundaries that can make shot selection and bowling plans difficult. He acknowledged that some Indian players were experiencing those conditions for the first time."We knew the dimensions were going to be like this. First time for some of them. Not easy to adapt. The way they executed in the first three games was magnificent. Great learning curve," he said.India's bowlers had a difficult evening against Phillips and Bracewell, whose fifth-wicket partnership of 115 came off just 41 balls. But the batting collapse was just as damaging. A chase of 260 was always going to be difficult, and losing two wickets in the opening over left India with little room to recover.That was perhaps the biggest concern from India's defeat. Iyer, however, didn't address it.- Ends