Black Caps come up short

The Black Caps batting has again failed to deliver in a 35-run loss to India in the fifth and final one-day international.

Already 3-1 down in the series after big defeats in the opening three matches, New Zealand came up short once more in Wellington on Sunday.

The home side were all out for 217 in the 45th over in pursuit of their target of 253, with India bouncing back strongly from their eight-wicket defeat in game four in Hamilton on Thursday.

Having recovered superbly from 18-4 after winning the toss and electing to bat first, the visitors bowling unit again proved too much for the Black Caps batsmen.

New Zealand fell to 38-3 and although captain Kane Williamson and Tom Latham steadied the chase, the end of their 67-run partnership signalled a steady stream of wickets.

Jimmy Neesham kept hopes alive with a crisp display of counter-attacking, but when he was caught napping and run-out by veteran Indian wicketkeeper MS Dhoni at 176-7 the Black Caps were all but done.

Neesham top-scored with 44 off just 32 balls, while Williamson was made to work hard before holing out in the deep for 39 off 73.

Latham was next best with 37.

The Indian bowling attack shared the wickets around, with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal taking three and seamers Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya two each.

Earlier a repeat of game four, where India were all out for just 92, looked on the cards as the New Zealand bowlers had removed four Indian batsmen with less than 20 runs on the board.

But a superb innings from No 4 Ambati Rayudu, who made a match-winning 90 and had solid support from Vijay Shankar (45), ensured the tourists recovered.

Impressive late hitting from Pandya (45 off 22) then ensured India had a more than defendable total.

Matt Henry took 4-35 from his 10 overs to lead the Black Caps bowling, with new ball partner Trent Boult taking 3-39.

The first of three T20 matches between New Zealand and India is in Wellington on Wednesday.