The Blackcaps have fallen agonisingly short of a remarkable run chase in their one-day international series opener against India at Hyderabad.
All-rounder Michael Bracewell's blistering century couldn't save New Zealand in the final over, as the hosts held on for a 12-run victory.
India opener Shubman Gil hit a double-ton, scoring 208 off 149 balls, with an incredible 19 fours and nine sixes, as he helped India set New Zealand a target of 350.
Apart from Gill, the rest of India's batting order struggled to add runs, with captain Rohit Sharma making the second-highest contribution with 34. Big-hitting Virat Kohli could only manage eight runs.
Blackcaps opener Finn Allen made 40, but the rest of the NZ batters did very little, until Bracewell produced a batting masterclass after coming in at No.7.
He made 140 runs, hitting 12 fours and 10 sixes, as he kept the visitors in the contest and took the game until the final over, where he was the last player to be sent packing, as they were bowled out with four balls to spare.
India seamer Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with 4/46, including two late wickets at a crucial stage, while Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur also bagged two wickets each.
The second ODI will be at Raipur on Saturday (NZ time), followed by the third game at Indore on Tuesday. The teams are due to play three Twenty20 internationals after the ODI series.
Despite falling short, Blackcaps captain Tom Latham is pleased with his team's effort in their chase of a big target.
"Bracewell's was an amazing innings," he said. "The situation of the game and then play an innings like that, needing 12 off four, to put us in that situation was outstanding.
"Disappointing to not get across the line. Right up there, chasing a big score, team under pressure and it was outstanding.
"We've seen it from him before - believe it or not. Hopefully, we can take confidence from that for the next game.
"I think the ball gripped a bit more, we saw them use the cutters more, but the partnership between Bracewell and Santner was great."
India 349/8 (Gill 208, Sharma 34; Mitchell 2/30, Shipley 2/74) New Zealand 337 (Bracewell 140, Santner 57; Siraj 4/46, Yadav 2/43)
India win by 12 runs
Reuters/Newshub
