The series was leveled at 1-1. India lost a t20 series after remaining unbeaten for 10 series. New Zealand won the match by four runs.
Earlier in the day, India won the toss and opted to field first. Kulddep Yadav was brought in place of Yuzvendra Chahal. For New Zealand, Blair Tickner made his debut in place of Lockie Ferguson who was rested. The pitch looked flat suggesting plenty of runs on the board which may assist spin at some stages. And as it turned out, New Zealand put up a mammoth total of 212 runs.
Unlike previous match where there was a bit of swing on offer, here there was no such swing. Both the New Zealand openers Colin Munro and Tim Seifert used it to their advantage. They both got off to a great start similar to what they did in the 1st t20. Khaleel Ahmed was the one who was targeted as Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave them a working over where he bowled 5-6 pin-point yorkers. Both the Pandya brothers were also taken to cleaners especially Krunal who was taken for 20 in his first over.
Kuldeep Yadav who was playing his first match of the series provided the much-needed break-through where Seifert who was batting on 43 was stumped by Dhoni. Although some would suggest that there was some part of the foot behind the line.Colin Munro at the other hand was still going at the same pace and brought up his half-century. He was lucky on nearly two occasions as he was dropped in the same over which Hardik Pandya was bowling. Eventually he got out trying to slog sweep Kuldeep Yadav after scoring 72.
Kane Williamson was in good nick before he got out to Khaleel when he had already hit 2 boundaries.Colin de Grandhomme continuing his good form added quick 30 runs. New Zeland innings ended at 212.
India were given a tough task to chase down the total. They fell just short of the target. Shikhar Dhawan got out in the first over. Then there was a very good partnership between Vijay Shankar and Rohit Sharma with latter just playing a second fiddle. Just as the visitors were running away with the game, Mitchell Santner got rid off Shankar who played well for his 43 runs. Pant was next who came out to bat with all guns blazing scoring 16 off the first 3 balls he faced. Rohit Sharma was still just rotating the strike. Rishabh Pant got out trying to slog a full-toss by debutant Blair Tickner.
Hardik Pandya was promoted up the order. He played a cameo of 21 and got out to Kuggelejin . Rohit Sharma also departed who was not his usual self tonight scoring just 38 of 32. MS Dhoni was expected to stay till the end but it was not to be as he was caught by Southee at long-on. After 15 overs, India still required 68 runs to chase down the target with Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya at the crease.
Krunal Pandya in the 18th over took on Southee when almost 50 were required. He was lucky on a occasion where an inside-edge just evaded the stumps onto the boundary. Dinesh Karthik at the other end was at his best and both the batters smashed a six of Scott Kuggelejin. In the last over 16 were required which was to be bowled by Tim Southee. It was the third ball where Pandya lost his cool as Kathik denied a single. With 11 required of the last ball, Karthik got a maximum but it was a bit too late as India lost the match.
Colin Munro was declared Man of the Match and Tim Seifert Man of the Series. With that, India's tour down under came to an end where bench strength was tested quite well.