India has taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
New Zealand gave India a serious chase in Christchurch, posting 180 for five in 20 overs. Glenn Phillips led the charge with 70 from 43 balls, while Bevon Jacobs added a powerful 58 from 46. India’s Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for 33, but the hosts had set a target that demanded a strong finish.
India’s reply was anything but comfortable. Wickets kept interrupting the chase, and when Naman Dhir fell with India at 112 for six, New Zealand had a real chance to turn the game their way. Tilak Varma stayed composed, picked his moments and kept the scoreboard moving. Nitish Kumar Reddy joined him with the finish still to come, and the pair changed the mood of the match in a hurry.
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Their seventh-wicket stand was worth 69 from just 30 balls — a record partnership for that wicket in T20 internationals for India. Tilak struck an unbeaten 51 from 26 deliveries, while Nitish finished 26 not out from 13. They found the boundary when it mattered and kept their nerve as the asking rate climbed. India reached 181 for six with one ball remaining, sealing a four-wicket win and a 2–0 lead in the five-match series.
Game 2 goes down to the wire but India take a 2-0 series lead.
Focus shifts to Game 3 in Wellington on Tuesday 🏏
#NZvIND | 📸 = @PhotosportNZ https://t.co/pyIAPS2FaH
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 24, 2026
It was a team effort with a dramatic finish: Arshdeep’s two wickets helped restrict New Zealand to a chaseable total, but the match belonged to the calm partnership between Tilak and Nitish. Their late surge turned a tense situation into another win for India and left the home side searching for answers before the series moves on.
Next up: The third T20I is on Tuesday, 27 October, at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The first ball is scheduled for 8:00 pm New Zealand time. India will be chasing a 3–0 lead; New Zealand need a response to keep the series alive.
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