Tim Seifert India clinched the five-match T20I series 3-2 despite suffering a seven-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the final match at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips produced commanding performances with the bat to guide the hosts to a comfortable victory after Adam Milne's four-wicket haul restricted India to 191/8.After being asked to bat first by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, India recovered from an early collapse to post a competitive total, courtesy of explosive half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.

Watch Virat Kohli drives, edges but doesn't stop in Auckland | Exclusive visuals Kishan smashed 61 off 32 deliveries, while Iyer contributed 50 off just 23 balls as the duo stitched together a crucial 93-run partnership for the third wicket.

However, Milne's impressive spell of 4/19 helped New Zealand pull things back towards the end of the Indian innings.

In reply, Seifert led the chase with a magnificent 93, while Phillips remained unbeaten on 65 to take New Zealand home with 17 balls to spare.Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer rescue India after early setbacks India did not get off to the best of starts after being put in to bat, with Jacob Duffy keeping things tight in the opening over before Adam Milne struck in the second.

The New Zealand pacer dismissed Abhishek Sharma for just one run, with Daryl Mitchell completing the catch.Sanju Samson's difficult run continued as he departed for four off 10 deliveries, leaving India struggling at 19/2 in 3.1 overs.

However, Kishan and Iyer brought India back into the contest with an aggressive partnership.

The duo took on the New Zealand bowling attack, finding boundaries regularly and putting pressure on the hosts.

Kishan brought up his half-century in 28 balls, while Iyer matched his aggression at the other end.

Their 93-run stand helped India recover from a precarious position and cross the 100-run mark comfortably.The 10th over proved particularly expensive for New Zealand as Iyer and Kishan took Michael Bracewell apart, collecting 27 runs.

Iyer struck two sixes and a four, while Kishan added a six and a boundary.

However, Blair Tickner eventually ended Kishan's innings, with Nathan Smith completing the catch.

The wicketkeeper-batter departed for 61 off 32 deliveries, including five fours and five sixes.Iyer continued his attacking approach and brought up his half-century in just 22 balls.

However, he too fell shortly afterwards, scoring 50 off 23 deliveries with three fours and four sixes.Adam Milne's four-wicket haul restricts India to 191 With both set batters back in the pavilion, India struggled to maintain the same scoring momentum in the latter stages.

Tilak Varma departed for six, while Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy attempted to provide the finishing touches.Dhir played a useful knock of 33 off 23 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six.

Nitish contributed 22 off 17 deliveries as the pair helped India move towards the 200-run mark.

However, New Zealand's bowlers struck at regular intervals towards the end.

Tickner removed Dhir, while Phillips took a good catch to dismiss Nitish.

Milne then picked up his fourth wicket by removing Bhuvneshwar Kumar for six.India eventually finished at 191/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Milne was the standout bowler for New Zealand, returning figures of 4/19, while Tickner and Smith also chipped in with two wickets each.Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips power New Zealand's chase Chasing 192, New Zealand suffered an early setback when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Finn Allen for two in the second over.

The left-arm pacer produced an extra bounce, forcing Allen to mistime his pull shot before Ishan Kishan completed the catch at midwicket.However, Seifert and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings with a crucial partnership.

Seifert initially struggled to find his timing but made the most of a reprieve after being dropped by Naman Dhir on 13.

The New Zealand opener gradually found his rhythm and accelerated once the initial movement disappeared.

Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Seifert brought up a superb half-century and combined with Mitchell to add 73 runs for the second wicket.Varun Chakaravarthy eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Mitchell, but that proved to be India's final breakthrough.Glenn Phillips joined Seifert in the middle, and the pair took complete control of the chase.

Phillips continued his impressive run with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 65 off 38 deliveries, while Seifert remained the mainstay of the innings with his 93.

The duo kept finding boundaries and ensured there was no late drama as New Zealand reached 195/3 in 18 overs, winning the match by seven wickets.India clinch series despite final-match defeat Although New Zealand finished the series with back-to-back victories, India had done enough earlier in the contest to secure the five-match T20I series 3-2.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates.

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