AUCKLAND: New Zealand stumbled after a solid century by opener Martin Guptill to set India a 315-run target in the third one-day international in Auckland on Saturday.
After reaching 270-5 in the 43rd over New Zealand collapsed to lose four wickets for 18 runs before Tim Southee saw them through to 314 with the final wicket falling on the last ball.
India, who need to win to keep the five-match series alive, restricted New Zealand to 32 off the final five overs as the hosts struggled to survive the full 50.
Guptill started the innings with a boundary off the first ball before settling into a more measured approach, taking 80 deliveries to reach his half-century.
By then he was in a solid partnership with Kane Williamson and was able to pick up the pace, taking only a further 43 deliveries to reach his century.
But he lost his way on 111 when he was caught by a leaping Ajinkya Rahane on the boundary in the 33rd over.
They batted so deep into the innings that big-hitting Corey Anderson, who tormented India in the first two games, was promoted to third drop.
But the move did not pay off as he only managed eight while Brendon McCullum followed for his second successive duck.
Ross Taylor, who played the anchor role in previous games, was expected to do well in partnership with Luke Ronchi only to be run out for 17.
Ronchi added a quick 38 but New Zealand by then were in a hit-and-hope mode as they collapsed to 288-9 before Southee finished with a lusty 27, including three sixes, to get them past the 300 mark.
Ravi Jadeja returned the best figures for India with two for 47 while Mohammed Shami took two for 84. There were three run outs.
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