Online Sports Desk
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy pulled India out of a middle-order collapse to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20 International at Hagley Oval on Saturday, helping the visitors take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing 181, India were struggling at 126 for six after 15 overs before Tilak struck an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls and Nitish contributed 26 not out from 13 deliveries to take the visitors to 181 for six with one ball remaining.
The pair added an unbroken 55 runs for the seventh wicket, ensuring India completed a second consecutive successful run chase after winning the opening match by four wickets on Thursday.
Tilak struck six fours and a six during his innings, while Nitish hit a four and a six as the two batters accelerated in the closing overs to overcome New Zealand’s advantage.
India lose five wickets in middle overs
India began their chase cautiously compared with their aggressive approach in the opening match, reaching 44 for one at the end of the six-over powerplay.
New Zealand’s bowlers subsequently tightened their grip on the contest, taking five wickets during the middle overs and reducing India to 126 for six after 15 overs.
With 55 runs still required from 30 deliveries and only four wickets remaining, the hosts appeared to have gained control of the contest before Tilak and Nitish launched their counterattack.
The pair maintained an unbeaten partnership through the final five overs, collecting the required runs without losing another wicket.
India eventually reached the target off the fifth delivery of the final over, completing another narrow victory after their record-breaking chase of 226 in the series opener.
Phillips, Jacobs rescue New Zealand from early collapse
Earlier, India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field, with the bowlers initially vindicating his decision by removing three New Zealand batters inside the powerplay.
Arshdeep Singh dismissed Tim Seifert for seven, Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Daryl Mitchell for six, and Prince Yadav bowled Finn Allen for 16, leaving New Zealand struggling at 41 for three.
However, Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs rebuilt the innings through a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership that took the hosts to 157 before Phillips was dismissed.
Phillips scored 70 off 43 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes, while Jacobs contributed 58 from 46 deliveries, including five fours and a six.
Arshdeep eventually removed Phillips in the 18th over, while Nitish dismissed Jacobs in the following over to prevent New Zealand from accelerating further.
Michael Bracewell struck an unbeaten 10 off just two deliveries towards the end, helping the hosts finish on 180 for five from their allotted 20 overs.
Arshdeep was India’s most successful bowler with two wickets for 33 runs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish picked up one wicket each.
India extend series lead to 2-0
Saturday’s victory followed India’s four-wicket triumph in the opening T20I on October 22, when Sanju Samson’s 67 and Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 42 helped the visitors chase down New Zealand’s 225 for four.
India have now won both matches in Christchurch, leaving New Zealand needing to win the third encounter to keep their hopes alive in the five-match series.
The third T20I will be played in Wellington on October 27, followed by matches in Auckland on October 30 and Hamilton on November 1.
