2nd T20I: Tilak silences critics as India’s obsession with batting depth pays off

Brief Scores: 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 | MAIN DATA

Two days after a scrappy 6 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 victory over New Zealand in the second T20I on Saturday.

After turning under the pressure of the chase, Tilak celebrated with a finger on his lips before plugging his ears with his fingers, gestures that appeared to be aimed at those who questioned his approach in the series opener. This time he did it when it mattered and made sure his response was seen and heard.

Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy put on an unbeaten partnership of 69 runs for the seventh wicket as India recovered from 112/6 to chase down 181 with one ball to spare. The win gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and offered another example of how their much-discussed emphasis on batting depth can pay off under pressure.

Also read: How coach Gambhir’s message boosted Tilak’s heroics

The release of emotions was understandable. Tilak faced criticism for his scratchy knock during India’s successful chase of 226 in the series opener on Thursday, managing just six from 12 balls. The left-hander, who was drafted in at No. 3 in place of the injured Ishan Kishan, struggled to get into the chase which India eventually completed with two balls to spare.

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Back in his preferred middle-order role at No.6 on Saturday, Tilak produced a starkly different performance. On a surface that offered more help to the bowlers, he timed his innings brilliantly to finish unbeaten on 51 off 26 deliveries, with six fours and a six. Screengrab by X

India’s top order struggled against a disciplined New Zealand attack. Sanju Samson made 14 of them 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 made a vital contribution to the counter-attack of 51 off 16 balls in the series opener, made another 17-ball 31. He looked completely in control and injected momentum into the innings during the middle overs. However, Mitchell Santner came through in the 15th over and outwitted him with a change of pace. His release left India in need of another rescue act. Tilak was on 10 off nine balls at the end of the 16th over, with the required rate rising sharply.

Rather than panic, Tilak let Nitish Reddy settle before attacking Nathan Smith in the 19th over. He plundered 18 runs, including a six and three boundaries, to reduce the equation to 11 off the last six balls. Reddy then helped seal the win, finishing unbeaten on 26 off 13 deliveries.

DISCIPLINED BOWLING SHOW

Earlier, India got off to 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 dismissed Daryl Mitchell for six. Prince Yadav then bowled Finn Allen for 16, leaving New Zealand at 41/3 in the powerplay.

India kept the scoring in check until the halfway mark but Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs turned the tide of the innings with a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket off 77 deliveries. Phillips led the counter-attack, hitting 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 Jacobse was dropped for 20 by Shreyas Iyer in the 11th over. The reprieve proved costly as the pair kept rearranging the innings before picking up speed in the closing overs. Phillips brought up his half-century from 33 balls while Jacobs reached his fifty in 40 deliveries.

Arshdeep eventually dismissed Phillips, caught by Dhir in the 18th over, to end the stand on 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 on 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 faults, but early breakthroughs and late wickets prevented New Zealand from going past 180.

Captain Shreyas Iyer also made better use of his bowling resources and fielded 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 a power play shortly after the powerplay with New Zealand three wickets down and is likely to be cautious about taking risks. The part-timer off the corkscrew conceded just seven runs, vindicating his captain’s decision.

The decision to retain the extra batting option proved decisive in the end. Reddy, batting at No. 6, proved his worth with a level finish alongside Tilak, who showed he could adapt to the demands of a tough chase. India’s batting depth has been tested, but so has it

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