October 25, 2026 | Cricket
India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24, chasing down a target of 181 with one ball remaining. The result gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Tilak and Nitish turn the chase around
India were under pressure at 112 for six after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner took four wickets for 21 runs. With 68 runs still required from the final five overs, Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy rebuilt the innings through an aggressive, unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 69 runs from 30 balls.
Tilak finished on 51 not out from 26 balls, while Reddy made an unbeaten 26 from 13 deliveries. Naman Dhir had earlier contributed 31, helping keep the chase within reach before Santner’s spell disrupted India’s middle order.
New Zealand post 180 for five
New Zealand recovered from 43 for three through Glenn Phillips, who scored 70, and Bevon Jacobs, who made 58. Their 116-run fourth-wicket partnership lifted the hosts to 180 for five in 20 overs. India completed the chase at 181 for six in 19.5 overs.
Series context
India can clinch the five-match series with another win in the next fixture, scheduled for Wellington on Tuesday, according to Reuters’ match report. The late partnership in Christchurch was decisive, but the result also highlighted the need for India to manage middle-order collapses against New Zealand’s spin attack.
Sources: BCCI official match centre and scorecard; International Cricket Council match centre; Reuters match report.
