Kiwis beat India in final T20 to secure relief win on home soil
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Hamilton: New Zealand avoided a home-series whitewash with a commanding seven-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park on Sunday. Despite India winning the opening three matches to seal the five-match series, the hosts bounced back with victories in the final two games, leaving the series at 3-2.
Chasing India's target of 192, New Zealand cruised to 195 for three in just 18 overs, powered by explosive knocks from Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips.
Seifert narrowly missed a century, scoring 93 off 50 balls with five sixes and 11 boundaries. Phillips remained unbeaten on 65 off 38 deliveries, hitting three sixes and eight fours. Phillips was also named Player of the Series after scoring a record 341 runs.
Earlier, India posted 191 for eight after being put in to bat. Ishan Kishan led the recovery with a blistering 61 off 32 balls, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 50 off 23 deliveries. The pair added 93 runs for the third wicket after India suffered an early collapse.
However, India's middle order failed to maintain the momentum. Naman Dhir scored 33, and Nitish Kumar Reddy added 22.
Adam Milne was New Zealand's standout bowler, claiming four wickets for just 19 runs. Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner picked up two wickets each.
India retained the series despite the late setbacks, while New Zealand gained a consolation victory after losing the first three matches.