Christchurch: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has praised India batter Tilak Varma for developing into a dependable finisher and commended Naman Dhir for his fearless approach after India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 International on October 24, 2026. Tilak’s unbeaten half-century and a late contribution from Nitish Kumar Reddy helped India secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Santner impressed by Tilak Varma’s transformation
Santner, who shares the Mumbai Indians dressing room with Tilak in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said he had followed the left-hander’s development over the past couple of years. He recalled that Tilak initially batted at No. 3 for the franchise before adapting to the demands of a middle-order role.
The New Zealand skipper said batting in the middle order requires a different approach, particularly when managing the closing overs of a T20 innings. He was impressed by the way Tilak had adjusted to those responsibilities and translated that experience into performances for India.
“When he first started, he was batting three. And it’s a slightly different role,” Santner said after the match, adding that he had watched Tilak’s progress at Mumbai Indians and believed the batter was performing very well.
Tilak demonstrated that ability under pressure in Christchurch. India were chasing a target of 181 runs and had lost wickets at regular intervals, leaving the visitors needing a composed yet attacking finish. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 deliveries, ensuring India crossed the line with one ball remaining.
Tilak and Reddy guide India home
New Zealand posted 180 for five in their allotted 20 overs. India’s chase became challenging as the hosts struck at key moments, with Santner leading the bowling effort by taking four wickets for 21 runs.
India needed contributions from their middle order to recover from the pressure. Tilak’s innings proved decisive, as he balanced his scoring with the need to remain at the crease until the end.
Nitish Kumar Reddy provided crucial support during the final phase of the chase. The pair kept India in contention and completed the job in the 20th over, taking the score to 181 for six and giving the team a four-wicket victory.
Santner acknowledged the importance of the partnership and the contributions of the batters who handled the closing stages. He said Tilak had taken some time to settle before managing the chase effectively alongside Reddy.
The result gave India a 2-0 advantage in the five-match series, following another four-wicket victory in the opening T20I on October 22.
New Zealand captain praises Naman Dhir
Santner also singled out Naman Dhir, another of his Mumbai Indians colleagues, for the freedom with which he approached his innings. The New Zealand captain said Dhir appeared comfortable from the beginning and praised the young batter’s contribution to India’s recovery.
Santner’s comments highlighted the value of familiarity with players through the IPL, where teammates and opponents often gain an understanding of one another’s strengths and playing styles.
The New Zealand captain also praised Reddy’s role in the closing stages, noting that the performances of Tilak, Dhir and Reddy were particularly important in the contest.
For India, the match underlined the value of having middle-order batters capable of adapting to changing situations. Rather than relying on a single explosive innings at the top of the order, the team recovered through partnerships and contributions from players who handled pressure at different stages.
Dropped catches and missed chances hurt New Zealand
Despite Santner’s impressive bowling figures, New Zealand were unable to defend their total. The captain pointed to missed opportunities in the field, including dropped catches and misfields, as crucial factors in the defeat.
He said the contest between the two teams had been closely fought and that small moments had influenced the outcome. New Zealand had been in a strong position during India’s chase, but the failure to capitalise on their opportunities allowed the visitors to regain control.
Santner said the teams had displayed good cricket, but New Zealand needed to make better use of key moments. He also referred to errors such as no-balls, which can prove costly in a format where a single delivery may change the direction of a match.
The captain maintained that his side had performed well across the first two games, even though the results had gone against them. He said the team would review the defeat, examine the missed chances and retain the positives from its performances.
India look to extend their series lead
India’s second successive victory places them in a strong position as the series moves to Wellington for the third T20I on October 27. The visitors will look to maintain their momentum, while New Zealand will aim to address their fielding lapses and convert promising positions into victories.
Santner’s praise for Tilak reflects the batter’s growing importance in India’s middle order. His unbeaten 51 showed how a player can adapt to a finishing role and manage a tense run chase. Dhir’s contribution and Reddy’s support further demonstrated the depth India can draw on when matches reach their decisive stages.
New Zealand still have opportunities to fight back in the remaining games, but they will need greater precision in the field and stronger execution under pressure. For India, the focus will be on sustaining the composure and teamwork that secured the two close wins.