New Zealand outclassed India to win the three-match ODI series 2-1, marking their first-ever ODI series triumph in India, despite a valiant 124-run innings from Virat Kohli, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting target of 338 runs, India fell short by 41 runs, being bowled out for 296 in 46 overs.
Kohli, playing only the 50-over format after retiring from Tests and T20Is, formed a 99-run seventh-wicket partnership with Harshit Rana (52), attempting to revive the chase.
Kohli’s 108-ball knock included 10 fours and three sixes before he was caught off Kristian Clarke.
Earlier, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106 off 88 balls) smashed counter-attacking centuries, adding 219 runs for the fourth wicket after New Zealand slipped to 58-3.
Despite captain Michael Bracewell leaving the field with a calf injury, the Blackcaps managed to post 337-8, with Bracewell later contributing an unbeaten 28 off 18 balls.
New Zealand left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox (2-42) and seamers Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke (3 wickets each) bowled India out.
India struggled after early losses at 71-4, although Kohli initially resurrected the innings with an 88-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and later with Harshit Rana.