Daijiworld Media Network - Hamilton

Hamilton, Nov 1: Half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer helped India recover from an early collapse and post 191/8 in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand at Seddon Park here on Sunday.

Kishan scored 61 while Iyer contributed 50 as the duo stitched together a crucial 93-run partnership for the third wicket, rescuing India after openers Abhishek Sharma (1) and Sanju Samson (4) departed cheaply.

Later, Naman Dhir (33) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (22) provided useful contributions, adding 46 runs for the sixth wicket. However, India could not maintain the momentum towards the end and fell short of the 200-run mark.

New Zealand pacer Adam Milne was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 19 runs in his four overs. Nathan Smith (2/28) and Blair Tickner also picked up two wickets each to restrict the visitors.

India also benefited from a couple of dropped catches by the hosts and a no-ball from Smith but failed to capitalise fully on the opportunities.

For the first time in the series, India lost the toss and were asked to bat. Openers Samson and Abhishek struggled against the early seam movement extracted by the New Zealand pacers.

Milne struck in the second over, dismissing Abhishek, before removing Samson in the fourth over. The wicketkeeper-batter, who managed just four runs off 10 deliveries, edged a leading shot that was caught at covers.

With India reduced to 50/2 at the end of the powerplay, Kishan and Iyer took charge and rebuilt the innings with an aggressive display.

Kishan took the attack to New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner after the powerplay and survived a close call when Finn Allen attempted an outstanding catch at the long-on boundary. Allen stepped beyond the boundary while attempting to complete the catch on the rebound, giving Kishan a reprieve.

The two Indian batters continued their assault in the middle overs, taking Michael Bracewell for 27 runs in the 10th over. Tickner also dropped Iyer off the fourth ball of the over, allowing the Indian captain another opportunity.

However, the hosts fought back when Tickner dismissed Kishan, who was caught at deep mid-wicket. Smith then removed Iyer with a short delivery, which was caught by Tim Seifert.

Smith initially had Tilak Varma caught at point, but the delivery was ruled a no-ball after he overstepped. Varma failed to make the most of the reprieve, however, as Smith dismissed him in the same over with a caught-and-bowled effort.

With Dhir and Nitish at the crease, India continued to add runs. Dhir survived another chance when Milne dropped him at sweeper cover in the 16th over.

The pair kept the scoreboard moving before Tickner dismissed Dhir in the 19th over. Nitish was sent back in the final over, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck a boundary before India finished at 191/8.

Brief Scores: India 191/8 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 61, Shreyas Iyer 50; Adam Milne 4/19, Nathan Smith 2/28) against New Zealand.