Christchurch, October 24, 2026.
India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, completing a chase of 181 with one ball remaining. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy shared an unbeaten 69-run seventh-wicket partnership to take India home after the visitors slipped to 112/6. The result gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Tilak finished on 51 not out from 26 balls, while Nitish contributed an unbeaten 26 from 13 deliveries. Their late attack denied New Zealand a series-levelling victory after captain Mitchell Santner’s four-wicket spell had put the hosts in control.
New Zealand vs India second T20I scores
New Zealand scored 180/5 in 20 overs. India replied with 181/6 in 19.5 overs.
Glenn Phillips led New Zealand’s batting with 70, while Arshdeep Singh returned 2/33 for India. Santner finished with 4/21, but his spell could not prevent another successful Indian chase.
Tilak and Nitish finish the chase under pressure
India’s pursuit became increasingly difficult as wickets fell through the middle overs. Naman Dhir contributed 31, giving the innings some momentum before his dismissal brought Nitish to the crease.
With six wickets down, India needed a partnership that could protect the remaining batting while keeping the target within reach. Tilak and Nitish delivered both.
Their unbeaten stand produced 69 runs from 30 balls. Tilak supplied the larger contribution, while Nitish maintained the scoring rate and struck the winning runs. Neither batter allowed New Zealand to take the seventh wicket that could have exposed India’s lower order. Tilak received the Player of the Match award.
Santner’s four wickets put India in trouble
Santner’s 4/21 was New Zealand’s strongest bowling performance. His control through the middle overs forced India to rebuild rather than maintain a straightforward chase.
Dhir’s dismissal left India at 112/6, putting the responsibility on Tilak and Nitish to finish the innings. However, New Zealand could not turn that advantage into a win. India attacked the pace bowling late in the chase and reached the target without losing another wicket.
Phillips and Jacobs rebuild New Zealand’s innings
Earlier, Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs added 116 for the fourth wicket after New Zealand lost three wickets during the powerplay.
Phillips made 70, while Jacobs contributed a half-century. Their partnership repaired the early damage and helped the hosts reach 180/5, giving their bowlers a total to defend.
Arshdeep was India’s leading wicket-taker with 2/33. New Zealand’s recovery and India’s later comeback meant both innings depended heavily on partnerships after early setbacks.
What the result means for the series
India now need one victory from the remaining three matches to win the five-match T20I series. New Zealand must win all three to take the series.
The third T20I is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, in Wellington, where India will have their first opportunity to clinch the contest. For New Zealand, the immediate task is to convert strong positions into results after letting India recover in Christchurch.
