India produced a remarkable late comeback to defeat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 24, 2026. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy held their nerve under pressure to guide India to a successful chase of 181, giving the visitors a 2–0 lead in the five-match series.
Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 deliveries, while Nitish contributed an unbeaten 26 from just 13 balls. Their decisive partnership rescued India after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had put the visitors on the brink of defeat with a superb spell of spin bowling.
New Zealand Post 180/5 After Strong Middle-Order Recovery
Asked to bat first, New Zealand suffered an early collapse as Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck in the Powerplay. Finn Allen also departed cheaply, leaving the hosts under pressure.
Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs revived the innings with a crucial 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Phillips struck 70 off 43 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes, while Jacobs made 58 off 46 deliveries.
Michael Bracewell added a late burst, scoring 10 runs from his only two balls, as New Zealand finished on 180/5 in 20 overs.
Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets for India, while the bowlers restricted New Zealand after their top-order setbacks.
Santner Puts India Under Pressure
India’s chase began steadily, but wickets at regular intervals shifted the momentum towards New Zealand. Sanju Samson scored 14, Abhishek Sharma made 27, and young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi managed four.
Santner then dismantled the middle order, dismissing Abhishek, captain Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel before removing Naman Dhir for 31 off 17 balls. His figures of 4/21 from four overs left India struggling at 112/6.
With 68 runs required from the final five overs, New Zealand appeared firmly in control.
Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy Complete the Comeback
Tilak Varma took responsibility at a critical stage, combining calculated batting with timely aggression. Nitish Reddy supported him with powerful strokeplay as the pair attacked New Zealand’s pace bowlers in the closing overs.
Their unbeaten 69-run partnership from just 30 deliveries turned the contest around. Tilak reached his half-century with six fours and a six, maintaining composure as the required run rate climbed.
India needed 11 runs from the final over. Tilak struck crucial boundaries and rotated the strike before Nitish finished the chase with a boundary and smart running. India reached 181/6 in 19.5 overs to seal a four-wicket victory.
Tilak was named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Score Summary
New Zealand: 180/5 (20 overs)
Glenn Phillips 70 (43), Bevon Jacobs 58 (46); Arshdeep Singh 2 wickets.
India: 181/6 (19.5 overs)
Tilak Varma 51* (26), Naman Dhir 31 (17), Nitish Kumar Reddy 26* (13); Mitchell Santner 4/21.
Result: India won by four wickets.
Player of the Match: Tilak Varma
India now lead the five-match T20I series 2–0, with the third match scheduled in Wellington on October 27.
