Varma, Reddy rescue India in thrilling win over New Zealand

Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls to guide India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second Twenty20 international on Saturday, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, The Telegraph reported.

India needed 181 for victory and they finished on 181-6 with a single ball remaining, after having slumped to 112-6 in the 15th over.

Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was 26 not out off 13 balls, shared a stand of 69 for the seventh wicket as the game was turned around. Varma had six fours and a six while Reddy scored the winning runs.

New Zealand, had the potential to bring India’s pursuit to a halt, claiming 4-21, and Naman Dhir scored 31 in 17 balls.

Previously, Glenn Phillips scored 70 from 43 balls and Bevon Jacobs contributed 58 to help New Zealand to 180 for five after a top-order collapse. The two put on 116 for the fourth wicket.

Indian bowlers struck early to dismiss opposition opener 2-33.

“I believe everyone in our team is a match-winner,” said India captain Shreyas Iyer. “When we lost a few wickets in a row, we thought the game was slipping away from us but Tilak and Reddy showed a lot of resilience.”

India will aim to clinch the series in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday.