The third Twenty20 International between India and New Zealand, which was hampered by rain, concluded in a draw using the DLS method on Tuesday at McClean Park, giving India a 1-0 victory in the three-match series.
India, spearheaded by Hardik Pandya, defeated New Zealand in the second Twenty20 international by 65 runs in Mount Maunganui after the first match between the two teams in Wellington was called off due to rain without a ball being thrown.
Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj (4/17) and Arshdeep Singh (4/37) produced the sensational bowling performances and scalped four wickets each to bowl out the Black Caps for 160 despite valiant half-centuries by Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips. New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first.
Conway (59 off 49) and Phillips (54 off 33) put the Black Caps in a comfortable position, but as soon as that partnership was broken, it was a procession since Siraj and Arshdeep both produced excellent bowling performances, especially in the final few overs.
India was 75/4 in 9 overs while chasing a par total, with Hardik Pandya (30 not out off 18) and Deepak Hooda (9 not out off 9), when play was halted by rain. After nine overs, 76 would have been the winning score, but instead, they scored 75, which is par, so the match ended in a tie.
Earlier, Arshdeep had given India a quick victory by removing Finn Allen for three runs in the second over of the innings. The situation was stabilised by Conway and Mark Chapman, who was sent in to replace Kane Williamson, before Siraj dismissed Chapman for 12, leaving 44-2 after 5.2 overs.
Conway and Phillips took their time and constructed the New Zealand innings from that point on. Conway played well and put together a solid innings, reaching his half-century in 39 balls. Phillips wasn't at his best, but he still smashed some crucial boundaries and huge sixes to help the hosts' innings along.
Both Siraj and Arshdeep fired in tandem to lead India's comeback as New Zealand didn't get the momentum and suffered a collapse in the last few overs. From a well-placed at 130/2 in 15.4 overs, Kiwis managed to add only 30 runs and lost 8 wickets in the last 24 balls to get bowled out for 160 in 19.4 overs.
Brief scores: New Zealand 160 all-out in 19.4 overs (Devon Conway 59, Glenn Phillips 54; Mohammed Siraj 4/17, Arshdeep Singh 4/37) vs India 75-4 in 9 Overs (Hardik Pandya 30 not out, Tim Southee 2/27)