Ross Taylor’s unbeaten hundred guided New Zealand to one-day series victory with a game to spare over World Cup and Champions Trophy holders India.
Taylor helped the Hamilton hosts reach a target of 279 at the start of the 49th over, for a seven-wicket win that leaves them 3-0 up ahead of Friday’s final one-day international.
Taylor’s ninth ton in his 136th ODI was supported by Kane Williamson’s fourth fifty of the rubber. Taylor himself hit half-centuries in the first two matches.
They joined forces in the reply’s ninth over after Jesse Ryder had played on to Varun Aaron for 19 and Mohammed Shami trapped Martin Guptill lbw for 35 in the space of six deliveries, both opening batsmen having scored quicker than a run a ball.
Taylor and Williamson progressed more steadily yet fast enough in a match-winning stand of 160 until Ravindra Jadeja’s direct-hit at the non-striker’s end saw the latter depart for 60.
Scenting victory, captain Brendon McCullum, who was dropped early in his innings, fired three sixes and four fours while contributing 49 to an unbroken alliance of 92 with Taylor, who struck 15 fours.
India, who won the toss, had also lost two early wickets, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane falling to short bowling.
Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu rebuilt before Hamish Bennett had Rayudu caught behind on the pull for 39. Rohit was unluckily held down leg for 79 off Williamson.
Once Ravichandran Ashwin cheaply became Tim Southee’s second scalp, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Jadeja ensured a reasonable total with a swift, unbroken partnership worth 127. Dhoni made 79 and Jadeja 62, both at three-figure strike rates.