India continued their winning run in New Zealand with a four-wicket victory in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24. Despite losing several top-order batters during the chase, the visitors showed remarkable composure to secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Tilak Varma emerged as India’s standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 51 to guide the team home while Nitish Kumar Reddy provided crucial support.
Naman Dhir also made a valuable contribution with an aggressive 31 off 17 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s target of 181. India’s chase suffered an early setback after openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma failed to convert their starts into substantial scores. Samson, who had earned the Player of the Match award in the series opener, departed cheaply, while Abhishek managed 27 runs.
The absence of injured wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan added another challenge for the visitors. Kumar Kushagra was included as a backup wicketkeeper, while teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replaced Kishan in the playing XI. However, Sooryavanshi struggled at number three and was dismissed for four. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner then intensified the pressure by removing Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, leaving India at 70/5.
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Naman Dhir briefly revived India’s hopes with a quickfire innings before falling for 31. Tilak, however, remained at the crease and eventually found an ideal partner in Nitish Kumar Reddy. The duo added an unbeaten 69 runs for the seventh wicket, turning the contest around with an aggressive yet calculated approach. Tilak’s half-century and Nitish’s unbeaten 26 helped India complete the chase with one ball remaining.
Speaking after the match, captain Shreyas Iyer praised the team’s depth and highlighted the character shown by Tilak and Nitish under pressure. “I feel that every individual in our game is a match winner, and today we saw the example of that,” Iyer said. He admitted that India appeared to be losing control after consecutive wickets fell but credited the middle and lower order for refusing to give up. “But Tilak and Reddy showed immense character, and also a great cameo by Naman Dhir,” he added.
Iyer also singled out Dhir for his all-round contribution. The right-hander had conceded just seven runs in his solitary over during New Zealand’s innings before playing an attacking knock in the chase.
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The Indian captain recalled Dhir’s performances during the home T20I series against the West Indies and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. “We saw him in a couple of games back home against West Indies. He’s a phenomenal bowler as well,” Iyer said.
He further described Dhir as a comprehensive player, praising his fielding and the character he displayed under pressure. India’s comeback victory underlined the importance of batting depth in T20 cricket. With Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir stepping up when the top order faltered, India secured another important win and strengthened their position in the series.
