Christchurch: India became the first side to record 200 wins in men’s T20 Internationals after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the second match of their five-game series at Hagley Oval.
The victory gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, with three matches still to be played.
Chasing a target of 181, India recovered from 70 for five to reach 181 for six, thanks to an unbeaten 69-run stand between Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Varma finished on 47 not out, while Reddy smashed 26 off 13 balls. Needing 11 runs in the final over, the pair completed the chase with a ball to spare.
Their partnership also established a new Indian record for the seventh wicket in T20Is, surpassing the previous best of 63 runs, set by Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya against New Zealand in 2019.
India have now won 200 of their 300 T20Is since their debut in 2006, losing 83, with the remaining matches ending in ties or producing no results. Their winning percentage among Full Member nations stands at 71.20.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 180 for five after being put in to bat. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Tim Seifert in the second over, while 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.
Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs steadied the innings with a 116-run partnership. Phillips scored 70 off 43 deliveries, hitting eight fours and four sixes, while Jacobs made 58 off 46 balls. Phillips was caught by Naman Dhir in the 18th over, and Jacobs followed soon after. Michael Bracewell added a late flourish with a four and a six off his only two deliveries to take New Zealand to 180 for five.
India began their chase with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma putting on 40 for the first wicket. However, Jacob Duffy dismissed Samson before teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for four.
Abhishek’s wicket was followed by those of Axar Patel and captain Shreyas Iyer, as Mitchell Santner helped New Zealand regain control. Santner also removed Naman Dhir, who had scored a quick 31 off 17 balls, leaving India struggling at 70 for five.
Varma then held the innings together before Reddy joined him to guide India to a historic win.
The teams will meet again in the third T20I in Wellington on October 27.