![Glenn Phillips attempts a switch hit [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771320879034_GlennPhillipsattemptsaswitchhit.jpg?type=hq)
Glenn Phillips attempts a switch hit [Source: X]
Glenn Phillips has already been a monster in the making in the T20I format, and an innovation of his with the bat in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has won hearts. Glenn Phillips did something that has not been noticed in recent times, while also giving a subtle tribute to his left-handed teammate Rachin Ravindra during the February 17 clash against Canada.
New Zealand comfortably reached the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup by chasing Canada’s 174-run target inside 15.1 overs. After Tim Seifert and Finn Allen fell early, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips took charge to switch gears and stitch together a mammoth 146-run partnership to seal the game with eight wickets in hand.
The Picture Perfect Switch Hit From Glenn Phillips
While the duo were taking the Canadian bowlers apart, a rare moment unfolded in the match. Though switch hits are still an uncommon sight in modern T20I cricket, Glenn Phillips executed the shot with such perfection that it almost made spectators question whether he could bat equally well as a right-hander and a left-hander.
As New Zealand began to accelerate after the powerplay, Glenn Phillips produced a picture-perfect switch hit off Saad Bin Zafar. On the third ball of the 13th over, Saad delivered a full-length ball on the leg-stump line.
Phillips got into position to play the switch hit even before the ball was released. He quickly switched his stance and hands to assume a left-handed position and slog-swept the ball 76 metres over the deep extra-cover boundary.
The hit was absolute perfection. In recent times, players like Glenn Maxwell and Jatinder Singh have been dismissed in this World Cup while attempting similar switch hits.
Rachin Ravindra Mirrors Phillips' Action
What made Glenn Phillips’ switch hit special was the sheer precision of the execution. Just a delivery later, Rachin Ravindra played the same slog-sweep in his natural left-handed stance.
On the last ball of the 13th over, the bowler again tossed it up outside the off stump to Ravindra, who went down on one knee and sent it to the cleaners with a picturesque slog sweep, mirroring Phillips’ earlier effort.
The shots from both players in the same over looked like exact reflections of each other, despite Phillips being a naturally right-handed batter.
New Zealand March To Super 8 With Flawless Win
Glenn Phillips was truly destructive with the bat, scoring 76 runs off just 36 deliveries after coming in at number four following Finn Allen’s dismissal for 21 off 8 balls. His knock came at a strike rate of 211.11 and was laced with six sixes and four boundaries.
While he and Ravindra emerged as the stars for New Zealand, Canada also had their moment in the spotlight.
Batting first, Canada opener Yuvraj Samra scored a 65-ball 110 to become the youngest batter in T20 World Cup history to register a century.
However, the rest of the batting line-up struggled, with only Dilpreet Bajwa contributing 36 off 39 balls. From the New Zealand camp, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, and Jimmy Neesham picked up one wicket each to restrict Canada to 173 runs.
