Correspondent, 24 October: Pulling off a dramatic comeback from the brink of defeat, India registered a thrilling four-wicket victory in the final over of the second T20 match against New Zealand. The win, anchored by a sensational unbeaten 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy off just 30 deliveries, gave India a strong 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing a target of 181 runs, the Indian team found themselves requiring a steep 68 runs from the final five overs while the New Zealand bowlers were completely dominating the contest. The momentum shifted drastically when Varma, who was batting on 17 runs off 13 deliveries after the 17th over, launched an aggressive assault. In the 19th over bowled by Nathan Smith, Varma smashed 18 runs, including three boundaries and a six.
Needing 11 runs in the final over, India successfully chased down the target on the fifth delivery. Varma reached his half-century in 24 balls and remained unbeaten with a 26-ball 51, an innings featuring six boundaries and a lone six. At the other end, Reddy provided vital support with a quickfire 26 runs off merely 13 deliveries.
Earlier in the match, India won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision initially paid off as New Zealand faltered to 41 for 3 at one stage. With top-order batters Tim Seifert (7), Finn Allen (16), and Daryl Mitchell (6) departing cheaply, it appeared the Kiwis might struggle to cross even the 150-run mark.
However, Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs rescued the innings with a 116-run stand for the fourth wicket off 76 balls, propelling the team to a total of 180 for 5 in their 20 overs. Phillips top-scored with a 43-ball 70, striking four boundaries and four sixes, while Jacobs contributed 58 runs off 46 balls with five fours and a six. For India, Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with two wickets. Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed one wicket but proved to be the most expensive, conceding 50 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 12.50.
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