IND vs NZ | Twitter hails Phillips as he keeps spirits high despite back-to-back blunders from Klarke

Today at 8:22 PM

Making a debut in front of a boisterous crowd is often intimidating, and Kristian Clarke realised that in the first T20I against India in Nagpur. The New Zealand medium-pacer looked very nervous as he fumbled twice in three deliveries to concede boundaries off Glenn Phillips’ bowling.

‌India got off to a flying start, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive intent in the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur. Despite losing partners Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, the southpaw smashed four sixes in the powerplay as the Men in Blue raced to 68/2 at the end of six overs.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav was also settling in nicely from the other end with two fours and a six in his first nine balls. Meanwhile, the Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner went to off-spinner Glenn Phillips with an advantageous match-up in mind.

But the left-handed opener had nothing in his mind as he stepped out to slash Phillips over cover. With Kristian Clarke running in from sweeper, it looked like a single but the debutant overran with the ball spinning away from him.

Though he stopped and reached out in the opposite direction, the Kookaburra was out of reach as it rolled onto the fence. But to his horror, the batter once again hit the ball in the same direction, a ball later, and the result repeated.

Though the medium pacer was cautious this time as he sat down to stop the ball defensively, it once again swung away at the last moment to elude him. Twitter had sympathy for the debutant but hailed Phillips’ composure as the bowler kept smiling despite him being at the receiving end, and the lofty standards he usually sets on the field.

Bad day!

pic.twitter.com/JtsozmMCbs
— Alexandra Rodrigues (@R37389Alexandra) January 21, 2026

Training!

Glenn Phillips to Kristian Clarke in the break between overs. #indvsnz pic.twitter.com/Xj5gA16B7z
— GRVsays (@grvcric) January 21, 2026

It strikes

I think the one thing that strikes me about the New Zealand team is how they are all such thinking cricketers Kristian Clarke Ish Sodhi Mitch Santner all in the same mould #indvsnzt20 @RevSportzGlobal
— Ashok Namboodiri (@Nambood1riAshok) January 21, 2026

Bad day

If you're having a bad day, just watch Kristian Clarke, you will feel better.#INDvsNZ
— The4thUmpire (@Da4thUmpire) January 21, 2026

Golu!

Kristian Clarke today 🤣#INDvsNZ #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/ed9tzv3c5u
— Torsades de Pointes (@Gaurabeyyyyy) January 21, 2026

Look!

Look at the New Zealand Cricket Team. Kristian Clarke misfielded the ball twice which went to the boundary but none of his teammates lost their cool.

Glenn Phillips was having a laugh at it.

This is why we all love and respect New Zealand Cricket, the most well behaved and…
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) January 21, 2026

Me neither!