NZ cricketer Glenn Phillips is known for his explosive batting, electric fielding, and ability to turn games around in an instant. But if life had taken a different turn, the Gujarat Titans all-rounder might not have been sending balls into the stands—instead, he could have been soaring through the skies as a pilot.

Ahead of GT’s opening match against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, the 28-year-old Kiwi star opened up about his lifelong passion for flying. In an interview, Phillips admitted that if not for cricket, he would have pursued a career as a pilot, driven purely by his love for the skies.

"Yeah, it's a huge passion of mine. If I weren't playing cricket and I had all the money in the world growing up, I probably would have ended up being a pilot, to be fair," he shared. "I love being in the air. I love all the procedures around being a pilot—the radio communications, but most of all, just handling the plane itself."

A childhood dream that never faded

For Phillips, flying isn’t just a passing interest—it’s something that has always fascinated him. He doesn’t know exactly why, but he believes it's a feeling most people share at some point in their lives.

"The feeling of flying is something that humans have wanted all the time. So, I guess I'm no different from all those people," he said.

Despite his passion for cricket, Phillips imagines a life where he could escape to the mountains, away from the demands of work, simply enjoying the things he loves. But if he had to pick a job after his cricketing career, piloting would be the clear choice.

"I guess if it comes down to wanting to do something that I enjoy after cricket, ideally, I'd like to be able to go into the mountains and have absolutely no need for work and do all my hobbies. But if push comes to shove, and I still need to work, piloting would be my first option on the list," he added.

For now, Phillips is focused on cricket, ready to make an impact in IPL 2025 with Gujarat Titans. But it’s fascinating to think that, in another life, he might have been a pilot, navigating the skies with the same precision and excitement he brings to the cricket field.