Team India coped a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand after losing the final ODI by five wickets at Bay Oval on Tuesday (February 11).

Asked to bat first, India posted 296/7 in 50 overs on the back of KL Rahul’s third ODI century (112 off 113 balls) and Shreyas Iyer’s measured 63-ball 62.

In reply, New Zealand rode on Henry Nicholls’ 103-ball 88 and significant contributions from Martin Guptill (66 off 46 balls), Colin de Grandhomme (58* off 28 balls) and Tom Latham (32* off 34 balls) to overhaul the target with 17 balls to spare.

Despite the whitewash, India skipper Virat Kohli reckons the visitors didn’t play as bad as the scoreline suggests.

“The games were not as bad as the scoreline suggests. But the way we fielded and bowled, the composure wasn't enough to win games. Didn't deserve to be on the winning side this series. Haven't played so badly, but we didn't grab opportunities,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Kohli also praised the Black Caps for their high intensity throughout the series.

“They played with lot more intensity than we did. They deservedly won 3-0,” he added.

The Indian captain now looks forward to the two-match Test series, starting February 21 in Wellington.

“We are excited for the Test series. We now have a balanced team and need to step out on the park with the right kind of mindset,” Kohli remarked.