The 'super over' nightmare continues for the Blackcaps following another batting capitulation against India.
Set 166 for a game four T20 victory in Wellington, Tim Seifert (57) and Colin Munro (64) had New Zealand coasting to a first victory of the series.
The Blackcaps needed 18 runs from the final three overs with Seifert and Ross Tayor (24) at the crease, but inexplicably lost four wickets in the final six balls.
Only seven was needed from Shardul Thakur's final over but Taylor perished on the first ball skying a catch to the outfield.
Daryl Mitchell steadied matters with a well-struck four from his first ball, but missed a slower bouncer next ball and Seifert was run out trying to sneak a bye.
Mitchell fell two balls later trying to loft Thakur over mid-on to end the game, leaving Mitchell Santner the responsibility of scoring two from the final ball.
Santner crushed what would have been a wide to deep cover butcouldn't get back for a second run and the Blackcaps were headed to yet another limited-overs 'super over'.
Seifert and Munro managed to scramble 13 from six balls but when KL Rahul smashed 10 from Tim Southee's first two balls, the game was India's.
Rahul fell next ball trying to end the game with a six - caught on the square leg boundary, but captain Virat Kohli hit a two and a four from his two balls to get his side home with a one to spare.
It was a carbon copy for the Blackcaps who have found themselves in a dominant final over position in two straight games and handed India a potential series sweep.
Earlier Tim Southee, replacing an injured Kane Williamson as skipper, won the toss and bowled on a very good Sky Sports Stadium wicket.
Ish Sodhi (3/26) bowled superbly as India were restricted to 88/6 in the 12th over.
But middle-order batsman Manish Pandey's unbeaten 50 from 36 balls helped guide India to a competitive 165.
Munro batted with power and class in his 47 ball 64, putting on 74 with Seifert before he ran himself out in the 12th over.
Following the quick departure of Tom Bruce (0), Taylor and Seifert added 62 in 41 balls before Taylor threw away his wicket with five balls remaining - launching another woeful Blackcaps choke job.
New Zealand now heads to the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui desperate for respite from an Indian side that was afforded the luxury of resting Rohit Sharma, Ravi Jadeja and Mohammad Sami from Friday night's clash.
The news gets worse with Martin Guptill in doubt for the match after hurting his leg in a collision with Mitchell while fielding.
