Losing 3 wkts early put us under pressure, says Santner

India pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc on the Kiwi top order removing openers Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and one down skipper Kane Williamson cheaply inside the first 10 overs.

"Obviously it's a little bit disappointing. I think credit has to go to India the way they bowled in the start and put us under pressure," the left-arm spinner told reporters at the post-match media conference here on Wednesday night.

"Losing the first three in the first 10 overs is not ideal if you're batting first."

India dished out a clinical performance to outclass New Zealand by six wickets and level the series 1-1 with now the series decider to be played in Kanpur on October 29.

India batsman Shikhar Dhawan (68) and Dinesh Karthik (64) struck timely half centuries as India chased the target without much fuss.

"We knew that 230 was a little under-par and then the way they came out and batted I guess took the game away from us. Shikhar (Dhawan) played pretty well and finished off with (Dinesh) Karthik in the end," said Santner.

"It's a bit disappointing with the loss tonight but we've learnt our part going to Kanpur. We're hoping to take the series 2-1," he said. "Last year we didn't put in a great performance to lose it 3-2 but I guess we can hit the ball rolling at Kanpur and then hopefully take the series 2-1."

Santner, who also played in last year's series, conceded that Indian batsmen played spin very well.

"They're very good players of spin and the Indian players have grown up playing a lot of spin so it makes your job a lot tougher," he said.