2nd T20I: Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy rescue India from 112/6 to seal thrilling 4-wicket win against New Zealand

NZ vs IND, 2nd T20I: Tilak-Nitish lead India to a four-wicket win after middling struggles in the final thriller (Image: ANI) Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a remarkable late counterattack as India recovered from a top-order collapse to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.Chasing 181, India were staring at defeat after slipping to 112/6 in the 15th over, with New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner breaking through the middle order with four wickets. With almost 70 runs needed in the last five overs and only four wickets remaining, the hosts seemed to be firmly in control of the match.However, Tilak and Nitish turned the game on its head with a balanced yet aggressive partnership to take India home at 181/6 in 19.5 overs. Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 off just 26 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six, while Nitish contributed an unbeaten 26 to complete a memorable rescue act.

Santner puts New Zealand in control

New Zealand did enough to put India under pressure after posting 180/5 in their 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh led India’s bowling effort with figures of 2/33, but Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs helped the hosts recover from an early collapse.New Zealand were reduced to 41/3 during the over before Phillips and Jacobs combined to add 116 runs for the fourth wicket, transforming the innings and setting India a tough target.Phillips made 70 off 43 balls, including four fours and four sixes, while Jacobs made 56 off 46 deliveries, with five fours and a six. Their partnership provided the foundation for New Zealand’s competitiveness.Arshdeep was India’s most successful bowler while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish Reddy took a wicket each.

India stumbles before Tilak takes the lead

India’s top order failed to build on a promising start in the chase, allowing New Zealand to claw their way back into the contest. The dismissal of Naman Dhir, who scored a valuable 31, proved to be a crucial turning point as Santner continued to consolidate the game.The New Zealand captain finished with excellent figures of 4/21, leaving India struggling at 112/6 in the 15th over. At this stage, the equation appeared to be heavily tilted in New Zealand’s favour, with India needing almost 70 runs from the last five overs.The visitors needed someone to take charge and Tilak answered the call.New Zealand, who looked firmly in command after Santner’s dismissal of Dhir, struggled to contain the late onslaught. The pressure turned dramatically as the Indian duo found momentum and brought the target within touching distance.Brief scores: New Zealand 180/5 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 70, Bevon Jacobs 56; Arshdeep Singh 2/33) lost to India 181/6 in 19.5 overs (Tilak Varma 51 not out, Naman Dhir 31, Nitish Kumar Reddy 246 not out) by 21 wickets.