Bhuvneshwar strikes early on return but Phillips, Jacobs blast NZ to 180/5 in 2nd T20I

Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck early on his comeback to the Indian team, only for the Kiwi batting pair of Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs to punish India with a marathon partnership in the second T20I on Saturday (Oct 24). The hosts scored 180 for five in 20 overs, with Phillips completing his second successive fifty in two games. The right-hander scored 70 off 43 balls, and Jacobs added 58 off 46 to power New Zealand to a formidable total at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. For India to take a 2-0 lead in this five-match series, they need 181 runs to win the match.

India won the toss and elected to bowl first at the same venue where they completed their highest successful T20I chase two days ago. Unlike how the Kiwi openers took the attack to the Indian quicks early on in the series opener, Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep Singh never let them settle in the second T20I. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep broke the early stand by dismissing Tim Seifert on seven, before Bhuvneshwar, making his presence felt on return, got the better of Daryl Mitchell on six.

Mitchell mistimed Bhuvneshwar’s slower one, with Tilak Varma completing a successful catch at the covers. Finn Allen departed soon after on 16, with New Zealand’s scorecard reading 41 for three inside the Powerplay.

Phillips, Jacobs Save NZ’s Sinking Ship

New Zealand was staring at a below-par score following a shaky start, but Phillips and young Jacobs took the onus and deployed a cautious approach. The two took their time to settle in and smashed boundaries off bad balls, building a key partnership and frustrating the Indians.

After gaining little momentum, the pair accelerated midway through the innings, completing respective fifties. Arshdeep broke the 116-run stand for the fourth wicket by sending Phillips back to the pavilion. Nitish Kumar Reddy then accounted for Jacobs in the next over.

“It's fantastic to get out there and do what I can for the boys,” Phillips said after scoring a valiant 70 in the 2nd T20I. “I try to put my best foot forward, play every ball on its merits, and the last couple of games have been fantastic.”

Captain Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell added nine runs in the final over to help New Zealand post 180 for five.