India beat New Zealand in the second T20I in Christchurch in a nail biting thriller. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir needed only three words to sum up the terrific effort by the batters.
He posted a picture on social media platform, X with the caption “Boys becoming Men,” while attaching images of Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy exchanging a high-five under the floodlights. The post quickly crossed more than 2 lakh views and perfectly summed up what had unfolded hours earlier at Hagley Oval.
India had been in deep trouble after being reduced to 112 for 6 while chasing 181. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner’s four-wicket haul had left the visitors staring at a series-levelling defeat. Two young batters stepped up and took the visitors out of trouble.
Tilak finished unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls while Nitish remained not out on 26 off 13. Their unbroken 69-run stand for the seventh wicket was also India’s highest in T20Is at that position. It also steered the side home with one ball to spare.
How Tilak Varma steered India home in a tough chase of 181
Tilak Varma arrived at the crease with India wobbling. The top order had collapsed against Santner’s spin, and the target of 181 suddenly felt distant. Walking in at a difficult stage, the left-hander began cautiously, rotating the strike and waiting for the right moment.
Naman Dhir’s aggressive 31 gave him some time to get himself in. When the right hander lost his wicket, India still needed 69 from the last five overs with only four wickets in hand.
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy built the partnership steadily at first, then accelerated. In the 18th and 19th overs Tilak took charge, finding the boundary repeatedly against Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. He brought up a 25-ball fifty in the final over and remained unbeaten on 51, smashing six fours and a six.
In the post match presentation, Tilak spoke of the belief his coaches had shown him before the match and that trust was repaid. India have taken a 2-0 series lead with three more matches left in the series.
