New Zealand lose sixth super over in a row after butchering India chase

The Kiws lost four wickets in the final over of regulation play before again being outmuscled in overtime

• Scorecard
• Kiwis lose super over in Hamilton

New Zealand were left cursing their lack of mental fortitude again after India inflicted upon them a sixth super over defeat in a row in the fourth T20 international Wellington.

The Kiwis, without Kane Williamson, were playing for pride with the tourists already 3-0 up in the five-match series.

Having restricted India to just 165 for 8, they looked on course to claim a consolation victory at the Westpac Stadium, needing seven off the final over with seven wickets in hand.

But in another remarkable finale similar to that which occurred in Auckland two days previous, the Black Caps butchered another all-but-certain victory.

Shardul Thakur took the ball for the concluding over, dismissing Ross Taylor, before Daryl Mitchell's boundary made the equation three from four deliveries.

Tim Seifert was then run-out before new man Mitchell Santner scampered a single to leave two needed for victory.

Thakur came up with the goods with another knuckleball getting rid of Mitchell before the final ball saw Santner run-out trying to go for a second.

Virat Kohli seals the deal for India! 💪

For NZ, it's yet more Super Over sorrow. 😢 Scorecard: https://t.co/OsAdva0wgu

India now lead 4-0 with one match to play, on Sky Sports Cricket from 6.55am on Sunday. 📺 pic.twitter.com/m3AaaxSNgu

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 31, 2020

With the score tied, the match was to be decided by a super over for the second time in as many matches.

Seifert and Colin Munro looked on course for a decent score after 12 came from the first five deliveries.

But Jasprit Bumrah showed shades of his best with a fine yorker as India were set 14 to win.

Rohit Sharma had been the hero in Hamilton but in his absence KL Rahul took on the mantle, hitting a mammoth six and pulling a four from the opening two balls from Tim Southee.

Rahul's top-edge saw him dismissed but Virat Kohli made no mistake, running two with Shreyas Iyer before hammering a boundary to secure victory with a ball to spare.

It was the sixth time in a row New Zealand have lost a match by a super over in a row, a run which began in September 2012.

^{Tim Southee couldn't change his super over luck} 

The streak also includes the 2019 World Cup final defeat to England at Lord's, when Williamson's side lost on boundary countback.

Stand-in captain Southee said: "It's very tough especially in the positions we put ourselves into. We have them a chance and they took them with both hands. 

"We have a young bowling attack and, it is tough, when you haven't won and you play against a quality opposition in India, give them a sniff and make it tough for yourselves."

Opposite number Kohli added: There's something new I've learnt in the last couple of games: when the opposition is playing well, you stay calm till the end and try to come back. 

"We couldn't have asked for more exciting games, we've never played Super Overs before and now we've won two. It shows the character of the team."

India now lead the five-match series 4-0 and have the chance to complete a whitewash in the final match scheduled to take place at Mount Maunganui on February 2.

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