Tilak Varma's evolution from No. 3 to finisher impresses Mitchell Santner

Brief Score: India (181/6 in 19.5 overs) beat New Zealand (180/5) by 4 wickets in Christchurch to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. SCORECARD | HIGHLIGHTS

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has watched Tilak Varma grow as a batter during their time together at Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Having seen him start at No. 3 in the IPL, Santner is impressed by how Tilak has developed into a finisher for India. He also praised Naman Dhir after India’s four-wicket win in the second T20I in Christchurch on Saturday.

Tilak played a key role in India’s chase of 209, scoring an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls. India were under pressure after Santner picked up four wickets, but the left-hander kept the chase alive before Nitish Kumar Reddy joined him at the crease. The pair added an unbeaten 69 off 30 balls to take India home and give them a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Santner said Tilak had adapted well to the demands of batting in the middle order after starting out at No. 3 for Mumbai Indians.

“When he first started, he was batting three. And it’s a slightly different role. So I guess the middle order role depends on how you operate in the middle and in the death phase. I’ve seen it for a couple of years now at Mumbai. He’s very good,” Santner said after the match.

The New Zealand captain also praised Naman, who made his India debut in Christchurch and took three wickets. Santner was impressed by how freely the youngster played.

“And same with Naman Dhir. I think the way he’s come in and just looks so free from the start. Tilak took his time a little bit today, but managed the chase very well with Reddy at the end. If you can finish off games as a finisher, you’re doing a pretty good job. So, I think it was a great knock from those last three, especially tonight,” he added.

SANTNER POINTS TO MISSED CHANCES

Santner’s four-wicket haul had put New Zealand in a strong position, but the hosts failed to hold on to their advantage. Dropped catches and missed opportunities in the field proved costly as India fought their way back into the chase.

Santner felt the contest had been close, with small moments making the difference.

“If you look at the skills of both teams, it’s been very close and it’s come down to some small moments in the field. I think especially us, the back end of that chase tonight. I think we’re in a very good position, a couple of drop catches, missed fields. And it’s the winning or losing of the game,” he said.

He added that New Zealand had played well in both matches but had failed to make the most of their chances.

“From a skills perspective, we’ve been playing some very good cricket. It’s just some small moments where, if you seize those moments, we could have easily been, I guess, 2-0 up as well,” Santner said.

New Zealand will look to bounce back in the third T20I in Wellington, while India will aim to extend their lead and move closer to sealing the series.

– Ends