Hamilton, 01 November (H.S.): New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the fifth and final T20I on Sunday, chasing down a target of 192 in just 18 overs after restricting the visitors to 191 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Despite the defeat, India clinched the five-match series 3-2.

India had won the first three matches of the series, while New Zealand signed off with a victory in the final encounter.

Chasing 192, New Zealand did not get off to a promising start, losing Finn Allen for just two runs in the second over. However, the hosts quickly recovered as their batters accelerated the scoring, taking the team to 59 for one during the powerplay.

New Zealand lost their second wicket at 82 when Daryl Mitchell departed for 29 off 16 deliveries, including four sixes. Tim Seifert then launched an aggressive counter-attack, putting the Indian bowlers under considerable pressure. He smashed 93 off 50 balls, with 11 fours and five sixes, before being dismissed in the 16th over with New Zealand's score at 168.

By then, the hosts were within touching distance of victory and completed the chase in the 18th over. Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 65 off 38 deliveries, while Bevon Jacobs was not out on one.

For India, Arshdeep Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, India posted 191 for eight in 20 overs, with half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer.

Kishan led the scoring with an aggressive 61 off 32 balls, striking five fours and five sixes. Iyer contributed 50 off 23 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes.

Apart from Kishan and Iyer, Naman Dhir scored 33 off 23 balls, with four fours and a six, while Nitish Kumar Reddy added 22 off 17 deliveries. Sanju Samson was dismissed for four, Abhishek Sharma managed just one, and Tilak Varma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar scored six runs apiece.

Adam Milne was New Zealand's most successful bowler, claiming four wickets. Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner picked up two wickets each.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar