The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai bore witness to a high-octane encounter in the 31st Match of Group D during the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 17. While the narrative was expected to favour the Black Caps, the cricketing world was momentarily stunned by a masterful batting display from Canada’s rising star, Yuvraj Samra. Despite a historic century that pushed the Associate nation to a competitive total, the sheer firepower of New Zealand’s middle order, led by a marauding Glenn Phillips, ensured the Kiwis chased down the target with clinical efficiency.
Yuvraj Samra scripts history with blistering century against New Zealand in Chennai
Opting to bat first, Canada showed no signs of intimidation against a world-class New Zealand pace attack. The opening duo of Samra and skipper Dilpreet Bajwa (36 off 39) provided a solid platform, putting on a 116-run stand for the first wicket. Samra was the primary aggressor, navigating the Powerplay with elegance and brute force to guide Canada to 50/0 within the first six overs.
Samra’s innings was a masterclass in timing and placement. He reached his half-century in just 36 balls, but it was his acceleration in the latter half that caught the Kiwis off guard. He dismantled the likes of Kyle Jamieson and James Neesham, reaching the 100-run milestone in 58 deliveries. By the time he was eventually caught by Phillips off Jacob Duffy’s bowling in the final over, Samra had amassed a magnificent 110 off 65 balls, laced with 9 boundaries and 6 towering sixes. His efforts propelled Canada to a respectable 173/4, a total that gave the underdogs a genuine glimmer of hope.
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Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra crush Canadian dreams in T20 World Cup 2026 encounter
The hope sparked by Samra’s ton was quickly extinguished by a New Zealand side that seemed to be playing on a different surface. Despite an early wobble that saw both Tim Seifert (6) and Finn Allen (21) depart within the first 3.1 overs—leaving the Kiwis at 30/2—the chase never looked in doubt once the pair of Rachin Ravindra and Phillips joined forces.
Phillips, in particular, was in a destructive mood. He treated the Canadian bowling attack with disdain, reaching a 50-ball half-century in just 22 deliveries. His ability to clear the ropes at will meant the required run rate remained an afterthought. At the other end, Ravindra played the perfect foil, rotating the strike before finding his own rhythm to finish with an unbeaten 59 off 39 balls.
The duo put on an unbroken 146-run partnership for the third wicket, characterized by aggressive running and 15 combined boundaries. New Zealand reached the target of 174 in just 15.1 overs, finishing at 176/2. Phillips remained unbeaten on a staggering 76 off 36 balls, striking at over 211. This 8-wicket victory with 29 balls to spare not only solidified New Zealand’s standing in Group D but also served as a reminder of the gap between the top-tier nations and the emerging challengers, even on a day when the latter produces a centurion.
New Zealand have booked their place in the Super Eights 🙌#NZvsCAN #T20WorldCup2026 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ec0sM4kxvS
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 17, 2026
Player of the Match for a reason 🙌#GlennPhillips #T20WorldCup2026 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Vrr522DPhk
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 17, 2026
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