India Edge Past New Zealand in Hagley Oval T20 Thriller

Christchurch, October 24: India produced a late show with the bat to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 of the series. The result, achieved on Saturday at Hagley Oval, gives India a 2-0 advantage.

After New Zealand posted 180 for five, India were under pressure after losing five wickets for just 70 runs. The recovery came through an unbroken stand of 69 runs between Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy, who added the runs in 30 balls for the seventh wicket.

The partnership ranks second on the list of highest seventh-wicket stands in successful T20 International chases by full member nations. It is one of several notable unbeaten stands in the format. Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka had also made 69 not out against Australia in 2022. South Africa's Wayne Parnell and Rusty Theron are listed with a 64-run unbeaten stand from 2011, and the Bangladesh pair of Afif Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain tops the list with 82 runs against Zimbabwe at Mirpur in 2019.

New Zealand's innings was anchored by Glenn Phillips, who made 70, while Bevon Jacobs struck 58. Their total of 180 for five gave India a challenging target.

Arshdeep Singh led the Indian bowling effort with two wickets for 33 runs in his four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish Reddy also took one wicket each.

Naman Dhir's 31 and the 42-run sixth-wicket stand with Tilak Varma helped India move towards the target. Tilak's unbeaten 51 was the backbone of the chase, and Nitish's 26 not out ensured there was no late scare. India completed the win in 19.5 overs.

Mitchell Santner was the standout bowler for New Zealand with four wickets for 21 runs.

With five T20 matches in the series, India now lead 2-0. The remaining matches will be played on October 27, October 30 and November 1. The rivalry will continue with five ODIs and two Test matches after the T20 contests.