Christchurch (New Zealand): Tilak Varma struck an unbeaten 51 from 26 balls as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 International at Hagley Oval on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 181, India were in deep trouble at 70 for five in the 11th over and 112 for six in the 15th. Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy then launched a decisive counter-attack, adding an unbroken 69 runs from only 30 balls for the seventh wicket. India reached 181 for six in 19.5 overs, sealing the win with one delivery to spare.

Tilak hit six fours and a six in a Player-of-the-Match performance, while Reddy remained 26 not out from 13 deliveries and struck the winning runs. Naman Dhir had earlier kept India in the hunt with a rapid 31 from 17 balls after the top order faltered.

Earlier, New Zealand recovered from 41 for three to post 180 for five in 20 overs. Glenn Phillips top-scored with an unbeaten 70, while Bevon Jacobs made 58. The pair added a crucial partnership after Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell and Finn Allen fell early.

Arshdeep Singh was India’s most successful bowler with 2 for 33, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish Reddy claimed a wicket each. Mitchell Santner, however, kept India under pressure with 4 for 21.

India now need one more win to seal the series, with the third T20I to follow.