India lead T20 series 2-0 after beating Black Caps

India holds a 2-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 series against the Black Caps after winning the second game by four wickets at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 51 from 26 balls to help India chase down a target of 181 with one ball to spare. Varma was joined by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who remained 26 not out, to secure an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 69 runs from 30 balls.

New Zealand posted 180-5, supported by Glenn Phillips with 70 from 43 balls and Bevon Jacobs with 58 from 46 balls. The Black Caps' bowling was led by Mitchell Santner, who recorded his third-best T20 figures of 4-21. Despite Santner's performance, New Zealand suffered from fielding errors, including dropped catches and three no-balls, and was penalised for a slow over-rate.

The series moves to the North Island, with the third match scheduled for Tuesday in Wellington. India can clinch the series with a win in the next game. The remaining matches will be played at Eden Park and Seddon Park.

Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner, who was monitored for a neck injury following a fall in the first game, was cleared of serious injury and played in the second T20. However, the team will be without Rachin Ravindra, who is sidelined for at least six weeks due to a dislocated right shoulder. Matt Henry also missed the second game after leaving the field with an undisclosed complaint.

How it developed

• Sun 25 Oct, 12:12amThe report provides the specific final score of the second T20, noting India reached 181-6 in 19.5 overs.

Where reports differ

• One report states Naman Dhir scored 26 off 13 balls, while another reports 31 off 17 balls.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, The Press, RNZ, Stuff, The Post and Otago Daily Times.