From 70/5 to Victory: Tilak Scripts India’s Stunning Chase

Tilak Varma struck a match-winning unbeaten 51 off 26 balls as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 International here on Saturday, completing a remarkable chase of 181 with one ball to spare.

India were struggling at 70 for five after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner dismantled the middle order with an impressive four wickets for 21 runs. However, Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who remained unbeaten on 26 off just 13 deliveries, turned the contest around with an explosive unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 69 runs off 30 balls.

Tilak, who hit six fours and a six, reached his half-century off 25 balls. Reddy contributed a four and a six as India reached 181 for six in 19.5 overs.

Earlier, Sanju Samson fell for 14, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi managed just four. Abhishek Sharma scored 27 off 21 balls before Shreyas Iyer (7) and Axar Patel (11) also departed to Santner. Naman Dhir briefly revived India's hopes with an aggressive 31 off 17 balls, including a four and three sixes, before becoming Santner's fourth victim.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 180 for five after recovering from an early collapse. India reduced the hosts to 41 for three, with Arshdeep Singh dismissing Tim Seifert for seven, Prince Yadav removing Finn Allen for 16 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar accounting for Daryl Mitchell, who scored six.

Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs then steadied the innings with a crucial 116-run fourth-wicket partnership. Phillips smashed 70 off 43 balls, including four fours and four sixes, while Jacobs scored 58 off 46 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six.

Phillips was dismissed by Arshdeep in the 18th over, ending the partnership, before Jacobs fell to Reddy. Michael Bracewell added a late flourish as New Zealand collected 23 runs in the final two overs.

Arshdeep finished as India's leading bowler with two wickets for 33 runs. Prince conceded 30 runs for one wicket, while Bhuvneshwar took one for 50. Axar conceded 28 runs without a wicket, and Reddy claimed one for 31.

Tilak's composure under pressure and Reddy's timely counterattack ultimately secured a memorable victory for India.