New Zealand ended the fifth T20I with a statement seven-wicket win in Hamilton, but India had already done enough to claim the series.
New Zealand signed off the T20 series in style, beating India by seven wickets in the fifth and final match in Hamilton. It was a commanding finish for the hosts, even though the trophy was already heading the other way.
India had done the heavy lifting earlier in the series, winning enough of the first four games to take it with a match to spare. That left the Hamilton decider as a dead rubber in terms of the series, but a chance for the Black Caps to avoid a damaging end and show some fight.
A seven-wicket margin means New Zealand's chase was handled with plenty in hand. For the hosts, it is a positive note to take into whatever comes next. For India, the series win stands as the headline, with the final-game defeat a small blemish on an otherwise successful tour.
The result keeps the narrative simple: India win the series, New Zealand win the last word.
