India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. In the second match in Christchurch on Saturday, Telugu players Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy cut loose at the end to seal a four-wicket win.
New Zealand make 180
Batting first, New Zealand scored 180 for 5 in 20 overs. Glenn Phillips made 70 off 43 balls and Bevon Jacobs 58 off 46.
From trouble to victory
In the chase, captain Mitchell Santner took 4 for 21 and left India at about 70 for 5 after 11 overs. Naman Dhir hit 31 off 17 to steady the innings. When Tilak and Nitish came together, India needed 46 off 18 balls.
Tilak opened the 18th over with two fours and ended it with another four and a six. He finished on 51 not out off 26 balls. In the final over, bowled by Jacob Duffy, Nitish ran two off the second-to-last ball to win the match. He was 26 not out off 13.
The third T20I is in Wellington on October 27.
