The reigning T20 world champions would have liked to finish the series on high but instead New Zealand managed to . Despite the defeats in the last two games, India were the better side in the series. Here are the player ratings for the same:

Five innings, 197 runs @ 223.86 strike rate, HS: 113

Abhishek recorded his second-fastest century at Wellington, reaching the mark in just 35 balls. He made 197 runs across five innings at an average of 39.40 and struck at 224, crossing 25 in all but one innings.

Two innings, 49 runs @ 181.48 strike rate, HS: 45

The 16-year-old had only two opportunities in the series, and made one count with a blistering 45 off 19 balls in a record partnership with Abhishek.

Five innings, 107 runs @ 142.66 strike rate, HS: 67

Samson has been backed on the basis of his T20 World Cup knockout heroics earlier this year, with Sooryavanshi waiting in the wing, but this series was a disappointment for him. He averaged just 21.40 at a strike rate of 143, and managed a solitary fifty.

Three innings, 62 runs @ 163.15 strike rate, HS: 61

Kishan missed two games due to an injury and had a couple of low scores heading into the final match, where he struck 61 off 32 to take home some positives.

Five innings, 126 runs @ 151.80 strike rate, HS: 50

Captain Iyer had an ordinary series as well, averaging 25.20 across five innings on the tour. He was able to end the series on a high note, smashing 50 off 23 in the fifth T20I.

Five innings, 99 runs @ 122.22 strike rate, HS: 51*

The curious handling of Tilak Varma from the Indian team management continues to be perplexing. He returned with the lowest strike rate of 122 but also delivered a match-winning knock of 51 not out off 26 in the second game, where India lost half the side for 70 chasing 181.

Five innings, 138 runs @ 200 strike rate, HS: 42*

Dhir came out of the series with his reputation enhanced and possibly cementing his spot in the first-choice XI. He hammered 138 runs at a strike rate of 200, averaging 46, and provided the finishing touches in four out of five games.

Five matches, 71 runs @ 165.11 strike rate, four wickets @ 11.29 economy

Seam-bowling all-rounder Reddy is seen as the ideal replacement for Hardik Pandya, who has been battling injuries. He struck 71 runs from four innings lower down the order at a strike rate of 165 and took four expensive wickets.

Four matches, 42 runs @ 131.25 strike rate, three wickets @ 10.53 economy

Axar’s role in these conditions was limited. In four games, he picked three wickets at an economy of 10.53 while striking at 131.

Four innings, one wicket @ 11.25 economy

Bhuvneshwar's return to international cricket has not been great as he managed to take a solitary wicket while going for 11.25 an over.

Prince Yadav - 1.5

Four innings, two wickets @ 10.53 economy

Prince Yadav also failed to make a significant impact, snaring just two wickets from four innings while conceding runs at 10.53 rpo.

Five innings, six wickets @ 9.45 economy

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep was the pick of the Indian bowlers with six wickets at an economy rate of 9.45. In a high-scoring series, he was the only Indian to concede at less than 10.

One innings, one wicket @ 11.25 economy

Mystery spinner Varun played only the fifth T20I on his return from injury but it didn't go well: he returned 4-0-45-1.

Two innings, four wickets @ 11 economy

Mayank showed glimpses of his calibre with a couple of early wickets in the fourth game but ended up with 3-48 as New Zealand piled on 259.

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