Three-time World T20 winners India won the second T20I against New Zealand by four wickets with a ball to spare. The pulsating contest saw 11 runs needed in the final over, and the visiting side were able to pull off a great chase to spark celebrations in the stands amongst the fan base.

Shreyas Iyerfor the second time in three days, wore a huge smile on his face after the game.

At one stage, India had lost half of its side for mere 70 runs, and the hopes of winning were slipping away. “Every member of the side is a match-winner, and today we saw an example of that. When we lost wickets in a heap, wefelt the game was going away from us.”

Plant Man got India back into the contest with a brisk 31, before he was out in the 15th over.

At that stage, India still needed 69 runs from 31 balls. It was the Tilak and Nitish show as the pair added unbeaten 63 runs for the sixth wicket in 30 balls.

“The way Varma and Nitish showed character was special, and also a great cameo from Naman. We saw him play in the home series against West Indies, and he is a great bowler as well. He is a player who does well with the bat and ball, and also the way he moves around in the field makes him a complete player. He also brings a lot of character.”

Tilak Varma was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten knock of 51 off 26 balls, laced with six boundaries and a six.

India’s T20I vice-captain also had a great day in the field as he claimed two key catches. Nitish was not out on 26 off 13 balls with one four and a six. He also bowled three overs and got the wicket of Bevon Jacobs for 58 runs.

Mitchell Santner praises Indian duo after close defeat

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner also praised Tilak and Nitish.

“Tilak and Naman and then obviously Reddy at the end, really played well. I think if we could have got one more wicket there, it was game over for the Indian team. So the way they controlled that chase made us make some errors at the end.”