Tim Seifert rediscovered his big-hitting form with a blistering 93 as New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Sunday.
The opener shared an 86-run partnership with Glenn Phillips, who remained unbeaten on 65, as the hosts chased down India's 192-run target in 17.1 overs. Despite losing the final two matches, India clinched the five-match series 3-2 after winning the first three encounters.
Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips Power New Zealand's Chase
New Zealand's chase began with an early setback as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Finn Allen. However, Seifert and Daryl Mitchell added 73 runs for the second wicket to put the hosts back on track. Mitchell scored 29 off 16 balls, including three sixes, before falling to Varun Chakravarthy, who was playing his first match of the series.
Seifert initially struggled, scoring just 14 off his first 15 deliveries, but gradually found his rhythm. He brought up his half-century in 34 balls and punished India for a dropped catch on 13, with Naman Dhir failing to hold an opportunity near the boundary off Arshdeep.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was taken for two sixes and two fours in one over, including a massive 108-metre hit. Seifert eventually departed for 93 off 50 balls, striking 11 fours and five sixes, after an inside edge off Nitish Kumar Reddy. Phillips ensured the chase remained on course, finishing unbeaten on 65 off 38 deliveries, including a 29-ball fifty.
Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan Fifties Lift India To 191/8
Earlier, India posted 191/8 after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner elected to bowl. The visitors lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson inside the first four overs, leaving them at 19/2.
Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer revived the innings with a 107-run partnership in just over seven overs. Kishan scored 61 off 32 balls, hitting five fours and five sixes, while Iyer made 50 off just 23 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes.
Kishan reached his fifty in 28 balls, while Iyer brought up his half-century in 22 deliveries after being dropped on 40. However, New Zealand struck back, with Blair Tickner dismissing Kishan and Nathan Smith removing Iyer.
Adam Milne's Four-Wicket Haul Restricts India
India struggled to accelerate after the dismissals of the two set batters, managing just 57 runs in the final seven overs.
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Adam Milne led New Zealand's bowling effort with figures of 4/19, while Tickner and Smith also picked up important wickets.
The early dismissals of Abhishek and Samson, along with the lack of a strong finish, exposed India's batting concerns. Samson's inconsistent run will remain a talking point ahead of the team's next T20I assignment in December.
New Zealand's victory followed their 87-run win in the fourth T20I at Auckland. India, however, walked away with the series 3-2 after dominating the opening three matches. Both teams will now turn their attention to the three-match ODI series, beginning on November 4.