In a thrilling run chase, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 24. Indian captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first.
New Zealand posted a competitive total of 180/5 in their 20 overs, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring with 70 off 43 balls, while Bevon Jacobs contributed 58 off 46 deliveries. For India, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/33. In reply, India chased down the target in the final over, with one ball to spare.
Tilak Varma played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten half-century, while Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy made valuable contributions to guide India to a memorable four-wicket victory.
Top batting performance of the match: Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma stepping up when it matters most! 💙🔥
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— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) October 24, 2026
Indian vice-captain Tilak Varma stepped up under pressure to guide India to victory in the run chase. He remained unbeaten on 51 off just 26 balls, smashing six fours and a six at an impressive strike rate of 196.15. Varma also stitched together a crucial 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy, helping India chase down the target and secure a thrilling win over New Zealand.
Top bowling performance of the match: Mitchell Santner
Axar looks to go big, but the Kiwis pull off a stunning relay catch to send him back! 👏
Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand, 2nd T20I LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels, Sony LIV & Sony Vizha.#SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #SonyVizha #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/virCCZ9UCo
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) October 24, 2026
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was the standout bowler of the match, delivering an impressive spell of 4/21 in his four overs. He picked up the crucial wickets of Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and Naman Dhir, putting India under pressure during the run chase. Despite his outstanding performance, Santner’s efforts were not enough to prevent India from securing a thrilling four-wicket victory.
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
- Third-Highest Seventh-Wicket Partnership: Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy recorded an unbeaten 69-run stand against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2026, the third-highest seventh-wicket partnership in successful T20I chases among Full Member teams.
- Mitchell Santner’s Record: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner became the first bowler to register multiple four-wicket hauls against India in T20I cricket.
- Most Sixes in the Powerplay: Abhishek Sharma became the first player to hit 100 sixes in overs 1–6 in T20Is, achieving the milestone at an average of one six every 7.77 balls.
- Most Wickets in a Calendar Year: Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to reach 38 wickets in T20Is in a calendar year, achieving the feat in 2026.
- Most Catches in a Calendar Year: Tilak Varma became the first fielder to take 26 catches in T20Is in a calendar year, setting the record in 2026.
Who won the Player of the Match?
Tilak Varma was named Player of the Match for his brilliant half-century which sealed the game for India at Christchurch and took India 2-0 in the five-match series.
When’s the next match?
The third T20I between New Zealand and India will happen on Tuesday, October 27 at Hnry Stadium, Wellington.
