IND vs NZ 2nd T20I Highlights: Tilak Varma held his nerve under pressure to guide India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24. Chasing 181, India reached 181/6 in 19.5 overs, with Varma finishing unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls.

The left-hander struck six fours and a six, providing the finishing touch after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner's four-wicket haul threatened to derail India's pursuit. Nitish Kumar Reddy supported Varma with an unbeaten 26 off 13 deliveries as the visitors crossed the line with one ball remaining.

New Zealand had earlier posted 180/5 in their 20 overs, powered by Glenn Phillips' 70 and Bevon Jacobs' 58. India's chase required contributions from the middle order after the top order struggled to build a substantial partnership.

Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy Finish India's Chase

India's pursuit began with Sanju Samson making 14 off 17 balls before he was caught by Glenn Phillips off Jacob Duffy. Abhishek Sharma provided some momentum with 27 from 21 deliveries, including three fours and a six, but Mitchell Santner removed him to give New Zealand another opening.

Youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi managed only four off eight balls before Nathan Smith dismissed him. Shreyas Iyer then fell for seven, bowled by Santner, leaving India needing a recovery from the middle order.

Santner continued to trouble India's batters, dismissing Axar Patel for 11 and Naman Dhir for 31. Dhir had counterattacked with 17-ball innings featuring three sixes and a four, helping keep the required rate within reach.

With wickets falling around him, Varma took responsibility for the chase. His 51 not out off 26 balls combined boundary-hitting with composure at the finish.

Santner was New Zealand's standout bowler, claiming four wickets, while Duffy and Smith picked up one each.

Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs Power New Zealand To 180/5

Earlier, New Zealand recovered from losing three early wickets to post a competitive total of 180/5. Tim Seifert was dismissed for seven by Arshdeep Singh, Finn Allen made 16 before being bowled by Prince Yadav, and Daryl Mitchell departed for six after Bhuvneshwar Kumar found the edge for Tilak Varma to catch.

Phillips then anchored the innings with an attacking 70 from 43 balls, striking four fours and four sixes. Jacobs complemented him with 58 off 46 deliveries, including five boundaries and one six. Their contributions steadied the innings and helped New Zealand rebuild after India's early breakthroughs.

Arshdeep removed Phillips with Naman Dhir taking the catch, while Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Jacobs, caught by Axar Patel. Michael Bracewell supplied a late burst with an unbeaten 10 off two balls, and Santner remained not out on four.

New Zealand finished on 180/5, setting India a target of 181. The visitors' middle-order response, led by Varma and supported by Reddy, proved decisive as India secured another four-wicket win in the five-match T20I series.