Harshit Rana’s lazy effort in the field cost one of New Zealand’s most dangerous batsmen, Glenn Phillips, a lease of life. In Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 5th over, Phillips lofted a loopy one, and Rana made a late start from his position to drop it.
India has been successful in putting enough pressure on the Kiwi batsmen with accurate bowling and agile fielding. As cricket experts have said, fielding always wins matches for any side, and that was the case for the Indians today too.
Although India took early wickets, Daryl Mitchell, who was in excellent form for New Zealand, once again scored a half-century against India and took care of the Kiwi innings which at one time looked like falling apart. Then the Indian fielders missed the chances.
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli angry with Glenn Phillips’ escape due to Harshit Rana’s poor fielding
This time in Indore, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been handed relatively more ball. He has been very economical on his part, and Glenn Phillips, who saw the pressure on him increasing, considered fielding him the fifth bowling option for India.
However, Phillips, who never looked comfortable with the shot, was missing space and lofted it towards the square leg area. When the ball went up, Harshit Rana, who was between the fine leg and square leg areas, had a chance to catch the ball.
If he had started in time, he could have easily caught hold, because the ball was in the air for a long time. Gautam Gambhir closed his eyes and banged his head back in frustration, while Virat Kohli, who was interested for a moment, was not happy with how it ended after Harshit Rana misjudged the catch.
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 18 January 2026
Glenn Phillips changed the innings with a half-century in Indore.
Glenn Phillips switches gears for New Zealand once they get the lead
Daryl Mitchell regains control with second century of the series
Also read: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father, anti-corruption unit blamed for his downfall as MCG celebrations resume
