India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 international on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after a tense chase in Christchurch.
Chasing 181, India reached 181-6 in 19.5 overs, recovering from 112-6 to secure victory with one ball remaining. Tilak Varma led the recovery with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, hitting six fours and a six.
Nitish Kumar Reddy supported him with an unbeaten 26 off 13 deliveries as the pair shared a match-winning 69-run partnership. Naman Dhir also contributed 31 off 17 balls before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 180-5 after India elected to field. Glenn Phillips top-scored with 70 off 43 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes.
Bevon Jacobs added 58 off 46 deliveries as he and Phillips shared a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket, helping New Zealand recover after losing three wickets early.
India made a strong start with the ball, reducing the hosts to 41-3 inside the powerplay. Arshdeep Singh took two wickets for 33 runs, while Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one each.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals during the chase, India held their nerve in the closing overs. Tilak’s composed innings and Reddy’s late contribution proved decisive as the visitors secured their second consecutive victory in the series.
