The fightback that revealed India’s new T20 DNA in the second T20I

By K.R. Nayar

India played brilliant, nerve-cracking and thrilling cricket, and won the match. Reeling at 70 for 5 in 10.5 overs while chasing a target of 181, India went on to win by four wickets with one ball to spare in the second T20I against New Zealand. So how did they pull off such a stunning win? It was a match that seemed to be slipping rapidly from their grasp. This time, the heroes were Tilak Varma (unbeaten 51 in 26 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26 not out in 13 balls), and once again, Naman Dhir, with a knock of 31 in 17 balls.

Varma and Reddy lifted India from 112 for 6 in 14.5 overs, after the fall of Dhir’s wicket, to craft victory and a 2-0 lead in the series. They showed how to rise and fight after slipping down, with four of the top batters having scored only Sanju Samson (14), Abhishek Sharma (27), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (4), and skipper Shreyas Iyer (7). This is what is called a fightback — refusing to give up hope. It was a demonstration of character, courage and an unshakeable belief in the art of fighting until the very last ball.

Varma’s knock is an example of a player stepping forward and taking responsibility. He batted under tremendous pressure and had the courage to conquer it. It is such knocks that transform the impossible into the possible. It was a treat to watch him play- no panic, no sign of desperation and no fear despite the number of deliveries dwindling. What was impressive was not just his talent, but his temperament.

Reddy, unbeaten on 26, provided the finishing thrust that India desperately needed. Every run from him had tremendous value because he played shots that kept the asking rate within reach and backed Varma’s confidence.

Dhir once again showed he is a player that India needs during a crisis. He is a young cricketer who refuses to be overawed by the occasion. His dismissal at 112 for six in 14.5 overs raised New Zealand’s hopes. Although the task looked steep for India, Varma and Reddy carried the team to the top. They played with a body language that oozed confidence.

This was a show from India announcing loudly that a match is not lost when wickets fall; it is lost only when belief falls. Every partnership was an act of resistance. It is always the resistance against defeat that brings victory. The manner in which India reached the target is laudable. Varma showed his class, Dhir gave the impetus and Reddy provided the finishing calm.

Another message from this win is that India are not dependent on their star players alone. Players who are new can also turn the course of a match. Reddy and Dhir have the all-round ability, courage and intelligence to win matches. They are not players who wait for the situation to become comfortable: they can make themselves comfortable in uncomfortable and high pressure matches. 

India needs players who refuse to fall but decide to fight. What Varma, Dhir and Reddy did was not merely give India a 2-0 lead; they also showed that India’s T20 team has the courage and belief to conquer opponents in their own den.