Phillips scored 70 off 43 balls, including four sixes, and shared a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership with Bevon Jacobs.

CHRISTCHURCH: Tilak Varma smashed an unbeaten half-century to guide India to a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20 international on Saturday, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

India scored 68 runs in the final 4.5 overs to chase down a target of 181 with one ball remaining at Hagley Oval, recovering from a precarious position at 70-5 in the 11th over.

Varma struck an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed an unbeaten 26 from just 13 deliveries, including the winning runs.

The result followed India’s four-wicket victory in the series opener at the same venue two days earlier, when they completed their chase with two balls to spare.

Tilak Varma Leads Dramatic Comeback

New Zealand’s bowling attack delivered a much-improved performance, led by captain Mitchell Santner, who claimed four wickets for 21 runs during the middle overs.

Santner dismissed dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma for 27 and Naman Dhir for 31, leaving India struggling at 112-6 and threatening to turn the match in the hosts’ favour.

However, Varma produced an aggressive late assault to revive India’s chase. He struck four boundaries in the penultimate over, bowled by Nathan Smith, bringing the visitors within reach of victory.

Reddy then helped finish the job with a quickfire contribution as India secured their second consecutive win in the series.

Opener Sanju Samson, who had played a key role in the first match with a rapid 67, departed cheaply in the second game.

His dismissal brought 15-year-old batting prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to the crease after he was called up for his 10th T20 appearance as a replacement for the injured Ishan Kishan. Sooryavanshi managed just four runs before being caught in the infield off Smith’s bowling.

Glenn Phillips Guides New Zealand to 180-5

Earlier, Glenn Phillips recorded his second consecutive half-century to help New Zealand recover from 41-3 and post 180-5 in their 20 overs.

Phillips scored 70 off 43 balls, including four sixes, and shared a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership with Bevon Jacobs.

Jacobs contributed 58 from 46 deliveries as the pair rebuilt the innings after India’s bowlers made early inroads.

Seamer Arshdeep Singh was India’s most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 2-33 from four overs.

India will now look to extend their advantage when the third T20 international takes place in Wellington on Tuesday.