Axar Strikes as Phillips Falls for 17 in Wellington 3rd T20I

Axar Patel gave India a timely breakthrough in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday, dismissing Glenn Phillips caught and bowled for 17 off 14 balls.

Phillips had just struck two clean boundaries over extra cover off Axar in the 12th over, but tried the same shot once too often and hit the fuller ball straight back to the bowler, leaving New Zealand 123 for 3 after 12 overs.

The wicket broke a rebuilding stand with Daryl Mitchell, who reached a 26-ball fifty with a pulled six and was unbeaten on 58 off 30 balls, after Finn Allen's 40 off 25 and Tim Seifert's early 2.

India, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, lead the five-match series 2-0 and are chasing a series win in Wellington.