Kiwis beat India to claim series

Hamilton: New Zealand defeated India by four runs in the third and final Twenty20 International (T20I) to clinch the series 2-1, here on Sunday.

Chasing the 213-run target, India could score only 208/6 in their 20 overs.

India suffered their first blow early when opener Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed by Mitchell Santner in the first over. Rookie all-rounder Vijay Shankar was the top scorer for India. He hit five boundaries and two sixes in a quickfire 28-ball inning that produced 43 runs.

The visitors were plunged into deeper trouble soon afterwards as Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma were dismissed in successive overs.

Although Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya made a valiant attempt with a late 63-run stand off the last 28 balls, it did not prove to be enough.

Earlier, a brilliant top-order batting display helped New Zealand post a big total of 212/4 in 20 overs.