![Gambhir on India's win in 2nd T20I vs NZ [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792857334233_TilakVarmaNitishKumarReddyGautamGambhir.jpg?type=hq)
Gambhir on India's win in 2nd T20I vs NZ [Source: AFP]
India pulled off a memorable run-chase in Christchurch on Saturday, turning around a collapse to take a 0-2 lead in the T20I series to start the much-anticipated tour on a high.
Tilak Varma was one of the batters subject to significant criticism after the first T20I, wherein he only got 6 off 11, when India needed 226 to win. The batter stepped up in a precarious situation in the second T20I and ended up receiving plaudits from coach Gautam Gambhir following the match.
Gambhir's special praise for Indian finishers
Contrary to how the Indian top-order usually goes about their business, Sanju Samson (14 off 17), Abhishek Sharma (27 off 21) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (4 off 8) all failed when India was chasing 181 on the evening. At one stage, they were 70/5 after 10.5 overs.
Tilak Varma, who returned to the role of a finisher after a match at 3, stepped up under pressure again and racked up 51* off 26 with 6 fours and a six. He was complemented well by Naman Dhir's 31 off 17 and Nitish Kumar Reddy's 26*(13).
This was also a crucial knock for Dhir, looking to cement his place in the team, alongside Reddy, who is looking to impress the management in Hardik Pandya's absence. India won the match with one ball remaining.
Tilak creditted Gambhir after guiding India to the win, revealing his pre-match conversation with the head coach and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Head coach Gautam Gambhir took to his Twitter after the match and felt the players are maturing and made a special tweet for the trio.
See the tweet below:
India eye early series wrap in Wellington
Having clinched the first two games in the series, Gautam Gambhir's men find themselves in a pole position to win their third consecutive away T20I series against the Kiwis. In 2020, India won the five-T20I series 3-2, followd by 1-0 win in 2022.
The carvan will move to Basin Reserve in Wellington, where the ground dimensions are significantly smaller than Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Ishan Kishan could return to the XI for the match and if they are able to seal the series, India will have a levy to play around with the team combinations for the rest of the series, ahead of the ODIs and Tests.
