Christchurch (New Zealand): India became the first team to register 200 wins in men’s T20 Internationals after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling second match of the five-match series at Hagley Oval.
Chasing a target of 181, India recovered from a precarious position of 70 for five to reach 181 for six, with Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy steering the visitors to victory through an unbeaten 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
The victory handed India a 2-0 lead in the series, with three matches remaining. Since making their T20I debut in 2006, India have won 200 of their 300 matches, losing 83, while the remaining fixtures ended in ties or no results.
India also hold a winning percentage of 71.20, the highest among Full Member nations in the format.
Varma remained unbeaten on 47, while Reddy struck a quickfire 26 off 13 deliveries as the pair held their nerve under pressure. Needing 11 runs from the final over, India completed the chase with one ball to spare.
Their unbeaten 69-run stand also set a new Indian record for the seventh wicket in T20Is, surpassing the previous mark of 63 runs established by Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya against New Zealand in 2019.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 180 for five after being put in to bat, recovering from early setbacks through a crucial partnership between Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs.
Arshdeep Singh dismissed Tim Seifert in the second over before Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Daryl Mitchell. Prince Yadav then bowled Finn Allen for 16, reducing the hosts to 41 for three at the end of the Powerplay.
Phillips and Jacobs revived New Zealand’s innings with a 116-run partnership, combining aggressive strokeplay with calculated batting.
Phillips scored 70 off 43 deliveries, hitting eight fours and four sixes, while Jacobs contributed 58 off 46 balls.
Phillips was dismissed in the 18th over after being caught by Naman Dhir, while Jacobs departed shortly afterwards. Michael Bracewell provided a late flourish, striking a four and a six off the only two deliveries he faced as New Zealand finished at 180 for five.
India began their chase positively, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma adding 40 runs for the opening wicket. However, Jacob Duffy dismissed Samson before teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for four.
Abhishek’s dismissal was followed by the wickets of Axar Patel and captain Shreyas Iyer as New Zealand tightened their grip on the contest.
Mitchell Santner played a key role in the hosts’ fightback, also dismissing Naman Dhir, who had struck a brisk 31 off 17 deliveries.
With India under pressure, Varma anchored the innings before Reddy joined him to produce a match-winning partnership and secure the historic victory.
The two teams will meet in the third T20I in Wellington on October 27.
[DD news]