Sports

India Secures 2-0 Series Lead with Thrilling T20 Victory in Christchurch

By AFP

Tilak Varma scored 51 not out off 26 balls to guide India to a four‑wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20 match at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday, giving the Indians a 2‑0 series advantage. New Zealand chased 181 but were reduced to 70‑5 in the 11th over and finished at 180‑5, 19.5 overs. Varma’s innings included a plan to counter the tourists’ spinners before attacking the seamers at the death. Nitish Kumar Reddy added 26 off 13, including the winning runs, to seal the victory. The win matched India’s four‑wicket triumph in the opening match at the same venue two days earlier, which was achieved with two balls to spare.

New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner took 4‑21, while his spin bowling removed Abhishek Sharma for 27 in the first over and Naman Dhir for 31 in the fourth. India’s Arshdeep Singh was the most economical bowler, taking 2‑33 in four overs.

New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips scored 70 off 43 balls, including four sixes, and partnered Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46) for a fourth‑wicket partnership of 116. The hosts recovered from 41‑3 to finish at 180‑5.

India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for four, having been called into the side to replace the injured Ishan Kishan. The match’s man of the match was Tilak Varma.

The series will continue with the third T20 in Wellington on Tuesday.