Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy rescue India's chase to beat New Zealand, go 2-0 up in T20Is

India are 2-0 up in their five-match T20I series in New Zealand after another last-over finish at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday. Mitchell Santner's spell had India in trouble at 112 for 6 in the chase. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy then added an unbeaten 69, and India reached 181 for 6 with one ball left to beat New Zealand's 180 for 5 by four wickets.

Phillips and Jacobs rebuild for New Zealand

Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl, and his seamers made it look like the right call early on. Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell and Finn Allen all went cheaply, and New Zealand were 41 for 3 inside the powerplay. Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs then put on 116 for the fourth wicket. Phillips made 70 from 46 balls with four sixes. Jacobs made 58 from 46 balls and passed fifty off his 41st. Arshdeep Singh took two wickets and Prince Yadav one. Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for 50 in his four overs.

Santner's spell turns the chase

India's openers got them to 40 without loss before the chase fell apart in the middle overs. Santner bowled his four overs for 21 runs and took four wickets. India lost six wickets for 72 runs and were 112 for 6. Abhishek Sharma (27 from 21 balls), Sanju Samson (17 from 14), Iyer (11 from 7) and Axar Patel (11 from 9) all got starts but none went on. Naman Dhir hit three sixes in a quick 31 from 17 balls before Santner removed him too.

Tilak and Nitish hold their nerve

Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy still had to find 69 runs, and both men managed the risk well. Tilak picked off boundaries steadily on his way to 51 not out from 26 balls, with six fours and a six. Reddy hit 26 not out from 13 balls. India needed four from the last three balls. Jacob Duffy bowled a wide, and Reddy ran two to finish it with a delivery to spare.

The result follows the series opener, in which India chased down 226. Twice now New Zealand have posted strong totals at home and lost. Their batting depth looks fine, but they have not managed to close out either game at the death.

What's next

The third T20I is on Tuesday 27 October at Sky Stadium in Wellington. New Zealand must win there to keep the series alive. India can wrap it up with two games to spare. Fans in Malaysia should note that New Zealand is currently five hours ahead, because it is in daylight-saving time.

Key takeaways

• India beat New Zealand by four wickets with one ball left and lead the five-match series 2-0.
• Glenn Phillips (70 off 46) and Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46) put on 116 to lift New Zealand to 180 for 5 after they were 41 for 3.
• Mitchell Santner took 4 for 21 and reduced India to 112 for 6.
• Tilak Varma (51* off 26) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26* off 13) added an unbeaten 69 for the seventh wicket.
• The third T20I is in Wellington on 27 October.

FAQ

What was the result of the 2nd T20I between New Zealand and India? India won by four wickets with a ball to spare, chasing down 181 after New Zealand made 180 for 5 at Hagley Oval.

Who were the standout performers? For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips made 70 and Mitchell Santner took 4 for 21. For India, Tilak Varma made 51 not out and Nitish Kumar Reddy finished on 26 not out.

When is the next match in the series? The third T20I is on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at Sky Stadium, Wellington.

Sources: ANI, ESPNcricinfo, Yahoo Sports, Outlook India