Brief Score: India (181/6 in 19.5 overs) beat New Zealand (180/5) by 4 wickets in Christchurch to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. SCORECARD | HIGHLIGHTS
Two days after a scratchy six off 12 balls in India’s series opener, Tilak Varma let his bat do the talking in Christchurch. The vice-captain struck an unbeaten 51 off just 26 deliveries to help India pull off a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I on Saturday. Having turned the chase around under pressure, Tilak celebrated with a finger to his lips before plugging his ears with his fingers, gestures that appeared to be aimed at those who had questioned his approach in the series opener. This time, he had delivered when it mattered, and made sure his response was seen as well as heard.
Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy stitched together an unbeaten 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket as India recovered from 112/6 to chase down 181 with one ball to spare. The victory gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and offered another example of how their much-debated emphasis on batting depth can pay off under pressure.
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The release of emotions was understandable. Tilak had faced criticism for his scratchy knock during India’s successful chase of 226 in the series opener on Thursday, when he managed just six off 12 balls. Drafted in at No. 3 in place of the injured Ishan Kishan, the left-hander had struggled to get going in a chase that India eventually completed with two balls to spare.
Back in his preferred middle-order role at No. 6 on Saturday, Tilak produced a vastly different performance. On a surface that offered more assistance to the bowlers, he timed his innings superbly, finishing unbeaten on 51 off 26 deliveries, with six fours and a six.
India’s top order had struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined attack. Sanju Samson made 14, while teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi managed just four on his return to the XI. Abhishek Sharma and the middle order also failed to build a substantial partnership, leaving India in trouble at 112/6.
Naman Dhir, who had provided a crucial counter-attacking contribution of 51 off 16 balls in the series opener, delivered yet again with a 17-ball 31. He looked in complete control, injecting momentum into the innings during the middle overs. However, Mitchell Santner got the better of him in the 15th over, outfoxing him with a change of pace. His dismissal left India needing another rescue act. Tilak was on 10 off nine balls at the end of the 16th over, with the required rate climbing sharply.
Rather than panic, Tilak allowed Nitish Reddy to settle before taking the attack to Nathan Smith in the 19th over. He plundered 18 runs, including a six and three boundaries, to bring the equation down to 11 off the final six balls. Reddy then helped seal the win, finishing unbeaten on 26 off 13 deliveries.
DISCIPLINED BOWLING SHOW
Earlier, India had made an encouraging start with the ball after winning the toss and electing to field. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Tim Seifert for seven in the second over, before Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Daryl Mitchell for six. Prince Yadav then bowled Finn Allen for 16, leaving New Zealand at 41/3 inside the powerplay.
India kept a tight leash on the scoring rate until the halfway mark, but Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs changed the course of the innings with a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership off 77 deliveries. Phillips led the counter-attack, striking 70 off 43 balls, including four fours and four sixes, while Jacobs provided valuable support with 58 off 46 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six.
India had an opportunity to break the partnership when Jacobs was dropped on 20 by Shreyas Iyer in the 11th over. The reprieve proved costly as the pair steadily rebuilt the innings before accelerating in the final overs. Phillips brought up his half-century off 33 balls, while Jacobs reached his fifty in 40 deliveries.
Arshdeep eventually dismissed Phillips, caught by Dhir in the 18th over, ending the stand at 157. Jacobs followed soon after, caught by Axar Patel off Reddy for 58. Michael Bracewell then provided a late burst, scoring 10 not out off just two balls, including a four and a six, as New Zealand finished at 180/5.
Arshdeep was India’s most successful bowler with figures of 2/33, while Prince returned 1/30. Bhuvneshwar conceded 50 runs in his four overs but removed Mitchell, and Reddy claimed the important wicket of Jacobs.
India’s bowling effort was not without its flaws, but the early breakthroughs and late wickets prevented New Zealand from pushing beyond 180.
Captain Shreyas Iyer also made better use of his bowling resources, deploying six bowlers, unlike in Thursday’s opener, when Nitish Kumar Reddy was asked to complete his full quota. On Saturday, Iyer turned to Naman Dhir for an over soon after the powerplay, when New Zealand had lost three wickets and were likely to be cautious about taking risks. The part-time off-spinner conceded just seven runs, vindicating his captain’s decision.
The decision to retain an extra batting option ultimately proved decisive. Reddy, batting at No. 6, demonstrated his value with a composed finish alongside Tilak, who showed that he can adapt to the demands of a difficult chase. India’s batting depth had been tested, but it was also the
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