Wellington, Jan 31: New Zealand were dealt a body blow on Friday ahead of their face-saving fourth T20I as skipper Kane Williamson was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20 series by winning in a Super Over in the last game at Hamilton.
Hitman Rohit Sharma hit a brilliant unbeaten 15 (including two sixes) in the Super Over as India chased down New Zealand's score of 17 to win the third T20I at Seddon Park on Wednesday.
Williamson followed up his excellent 95 with an unbeaten 11 in the Super Over, but it just wasn't enough as Rohit and K.L. Rahul (5*) took Tim Southee to the cleaners to underline their strength as a unit ahead of the T20 World Cup at the end of the year.
This after the T20I was tied as India pacer Mohammed Shami came up with a classic last over just when it looked like Williamson would take the Kiwis home with a batting master-class.
Rohit was at his sublime best as he hit a well composed 65 to take India to 179/5. But Kiwi skipper Williamson waged a lone battle and almost took the game away from India with nine runs needed off six balls before Shami removed him and Ross Taylor to take the match to the Super Over.
Southee took charge in the absence of Williamson and decided to field first against India.
"He dived and fell awkwardly in Seddon Park. I don't think it's major. He should be alright in a couple of days," Southee said of Williamson's injury.