Christchurch [New Zealand], October 26 (ANI): India became the first team to register 200 victories in men's T20 Internationals after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling second match of the five-game series at Hagley Oval.
Chasing 181 for victory, India recovered from a precarious 70 for five to reach 181 for six, with Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy guiding the visitors home through an unbeaten 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
The win gave India a 2-0 lead in the series, with three matches remaining. India have now won 200 of their 300 T20Is since making their debut in the format in 2006, losing 83 matches, while the remaining games have ended in ties or no results.
India also boast a 71.20 per cent winning percentage among Full Member nations in the format.
Varma remained unbeaten on 47, while Reddy scored an explosive 26 off just 13 deliveries as the pair kept their composure under pressure. India needed 11 runs from the final over, but the duo ensured there was no late drama, completing the chase off the penultimate ball.
Their 69-run stand surpassed the previous Indian record for the seventh wicket in T20Is, a 63-run partnership between Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya against New Zealand in 2019.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 180 for five after being asked to bat, recovering from early setbacks through 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, leaving the hosts at 41 for three at the end of the Powerplay.
Phillips and Jacobs revived the innings with a 116-run partnership, combining aggressive strokeplay with sensible batting. Phillips struck 70 off 43 deliveries, including eight boundaries and four sixes, while Jacobs contributed 58 off 46 balls.
Phillips departed in the 18th over, caught by Naman Dhir, before Jacobs fell soon after. Michael Bracewell provided a late boost with a boundary and a six off his only two deliveries as New Zealand finished on 180 for five.
India's chase began steadily, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma adding 40 for the opening wicket. However, Samson fell to Jacob Duffy before teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for four.
Abhishek's departure was followed by the wickets of Axar Patel and captain Shreyas Iyer, with Mitchell Santner playing a pivotal role in New Zealand's fightback. Santner also dismissed Naman Dhir, who had scored a brisk 31 off 17 balls, leaving India in serious trouble.
Varma held firm amid the collapse before Reddy joined him to turn the contest around and seal India's historic victory.
The teams will next meet in the third T20I in Wellington on October 27. (ANI)
India become first team to register 200 T20I wins after thrilling victory over New Zealand in 2nd T20I
