Tilak lights up Christchurch as India pull off incredible T20I comeback

CHRISTCHURCH: Tilak Varma struck an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls as India pulled off a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in a thrilling finish to the second T20I on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 181 for victory, India were reduced to 70/5 in the 11th over as New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner ripped through the batting order. Santner finished with figures of 4/21, putting the hosts in a strong position to defend their total.

Naman Dhir kept India's hopes alive with a crucial 31 off 17 balls before his dismissal left the visitors struggling at 112/6 in the 15th over. With the chase threatening to slip away, Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy combined to turn the match around with an unbeaten 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Tilak anchored the recovery with a composed yet attacking innings, striking six fours and a six. Nitish provided valuable support with an unbeaten 26 off 13 balls as the pair kept India in contention until the final over.

Needing 11 runs from Jacob Duffy's final over, India edged closer through a boundary from Tilak. Nitish then sealed the win with two runs off the fifth delivery, taking India to 181/6 in 19.5 overs with one ball to spare.

Earlier, Glenn Phillips top-scored for New Zealand with 70 off 43 balls, while Bevon Jacobs contributed 58 off 46 deliveries. Their fourth-wicket partnership helped the hosts recover from 41/3 to post 180/5 in 20 overs.

India had also won the series opener, and the latest victory strengthened their grip on the five-match T20I series with a 2-0 advantage.