Tilak Varma's unbeaten 51 seals India's four-wicket win over New Zealand in Christchurch thriller

Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 off 26 balls powered India to a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday, sealing the chase of 181 with one ball to spare and a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

New Zealand posted 180 for five after Glenn Phillips (70 off 43 balls) and Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46) rebuilt the innings with a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership. Arshdeep Singh took two for 33 for India, while New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner later claimed four for 21.

India’s chase stuttered badly, slipping to 112 for six in the 15th over, before Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy turned the match with an unbeaten 69-run seventh-wicket stand off 30 balls. Naman Dhir had earlier contributed 31 off 17 balls. Varma, named player of the match, struck six fours and a six, while Reddy finished 26 not out off 13 balls and hit the winning runs.

India needed 11 runs from the final over and crossed the line at 181 for six in 19.5 overs. The third match of the series is scheduled for Wellington on Tuesday, October 27.

Sources

• Indian Express — “Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s late charge helps India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets”: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-t20-tilak-varma-nitish-kumar-reddy-10935152/
• ESPNcricinfo — “NZ vs IND live score, 2nd T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch”: https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-in-new-zealand-2026-27-1539421/new-zealand-vs-india-2nd-t20i-1539433/live-cricket-score
• Deccan Herald — “Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir and Nitish Reddy steer India home”: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/2nd-t20-tilak-varma-nitish-reddy-steer-india-home-4193819
• Daily Excelsior — “Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 fuels India’s four-wicket win in 2nd T20I”: https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/tilak-varmas-unbeaten-51-fuels-indias-four-wicket-win-in-2nd-t20i/