The Black Caps have lost their Twenty20 series in India after losing a rain-affected third and final match by six runs.
The Black Caps have lost their T20 series in India. Photo: Photosport
With wet conditions in Thiruvananthapuram reducing the game to just eight overs per-side, the hosts posted 67-5 batting first.
New Zealand could only manage 61-6 in reply, sealing a 2-1 series victory for India.
Seam bowling duo Tim Southee and Trent Boult performed well in their two overs with the ball for New Zealand, Southee take 2-13 and Boult returning figures of 1-13.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi also bagged two wickets but was slightly more expensive, going for 23 runs from his two overs.
The Black Caps chase did not start well as top three batsmen Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and captain Kane Williamson all fell for less than eight.
Colin de Grandhomme eventually top-scored with 17 not out, Tom Bruce hitting a nine-ball 11.
The home side won the earlier one-day series by the same margin.
New Zealand now head home to prepare for the first match of their home summer, the first of two test against the West Indies, starting in Wellington on December 1.
