The BLACKCAPS went down by five wickets despite putting on a decent total with big hitting Yusuf Pathan leading India to victory.
The 28-year-old clubbed his maiden one-day international century at Bangalore today as India ran down New Zealand's challenging 315 for seven to register their fourth successive win in the five-match series between the countries.
Today, they were undone by the bearded Pathan, who was in a particularly destructive mode, powering his way to three figures after taking 27 runs off seven deliveries, including 21 from one over by experienced seamer Kyle Mills.
His century came up off 79 balls with seven fours and six sixes at Chinnaswamy Stadium at which stage India's chase was on target as they required only a run a ball in the closing seven overs.
He and Saurabh Tiwary duly took their team to their target with seven balls to spare after sharing an outstanding partnership of 133 runs for the sixth wicket.
Tiwary's share was 37 not out after they came together with India in some bother at 188 for five in pursuit of a healthy New Zealand total based on a career best 98 not out from James Franklin.
The left-hander smote his runs off just 69 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes as he underlined just how potent he can be at No 6 in the order.
Other handy contributions were made by Scott Styris, with 46 off 48, Ross Taylor, 44 off 73, and opener Brendon McCullum, 42 off 42, before Franklin lifted the run rate in a highly entertaining exhibition.
But Franklin's fireworks were later outshone by Pathan, who took the game by the scruff of the neck as the Indian selectors continued to be rewarded for a bold decision to rest a number of frontline players ahead of their tour to South Africa later this month.
Vettori acknowledged there was little his side could do in the face of Pathan's onslaught.
"James played exceptionally well to give us a formidable score but Pathan's innings was just amazing and he took the game away from us."
NZPA
