Tilak Varma produced a match-winning unbeaten 51 as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing 181, India were in deep trouble at 70/5 before Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy staged a remarkable recovery. Tilak struck 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish remained unbeaten on 26 from 13 deliveries, hitting the winning runs with one ball remaining.
Naman Dhir contributed 31 off 17 balls to keep India’s hopes alive after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner dismantled the middle order with four wickets for 21 runs. Earlier, Glenn Phillips scored 70 off 43 balls and Bevon Jacobs made 58 off 46 deliveries, combining for a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership after New Zealand slipped to 41/3.
Their efforts lifted the hosts to 180/5. India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh’s two wickets, restricted New Zealand to a competitive total.
However, Tilak’s composure under pressure and Nitish’s late contribution secured another memorable victory for the visitors.