Goa, Oct. 24 -- India batter Tilak Varma revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak gave him a crucial message of confidence before the second T20I against New Zealand, inspiring him to deliver a match-winning performance in Christchurch on Saturday.

Tilak played an unbeaten knock of 51 off just 26 balls as India recovered from a difficult position to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory. Chasing 181, India were struggling at 112/6 before Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy combined to turn the contest around with a sensational partnership.

The duo added an unbeaten 69 runs off just 30 deliveries, taking India to 181/6 in 19.5 overs and helping the visitors take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Speaking dur...