India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The Men in Blue completed the target of 181 runs in 19.5 overs, with Tilak Varma scoring an unbeaten 51 runs off 26 balls. He also added 69 runs off 30 balls for the seven-wicket stand with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to take India to a memorable victory over the Mitchell Santner-led team.

Before his crucial stand with Nitish, who posted 26 not out off 13 balls, Tilak also added 42 runs off 24 balls for the sixth wicket with new sensation Naman Dhir (31 off 17 balls) to keep India in the game.

The superb batting by Tilak, Dhir and Reddy helped India put pressure on the Kiwis on a challenging wicket. Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir hailed the young players for their contributions.

“Boys becoming Men,” he wrote on X. His post has gone viral on social media.

Tilak batted at No.6 for the visitors in the second game, and India were 69 for 4 in 10.3 overs at one stage. The young batter didn’t give up and kept his calm to keep the scoreboard ticking. He struck six fours and one six to put the hosts out of the game.

He also broke the record for taking the most catches in a calendar year in T20Is. Tilak was also named the Player of the Match for his effort.

India’s T20Is skipper Shreyas Iyer was also pleased with the team’s win in the game, and he also opened up on social media.

“Job half done,” he wrote.

In the NZ vs IND 2nd T20I, Arshdeep Singh broke the record for taking the most wickets for the sub-continent nation in a calendar year in the shortest format of the game. He has dismissed 38 batters in 2026.