The Indians were venting their silent protest because they adamantly believed Cairns was caught behind when his score was on 51 in the 41st over.
Such incidents are pivotal points in cricket matches and this was the most significant of last night's series-deciding match.
After his alleged life, Cairns, like a prisoner walking free from jail, made the most of his escape.
Cairns careered his way through to 115 from 80 balls and New Zealand, which was 191 for four at that point, slammed 121 from the final 10 overs to put the match out of India's reach.
Promising start
Set the psychologically daunting target of 301 to win, India made a promising start charging to 90 for one from the first 15 overs, but then the run-a-ball asking rate told against New Zealand's medium-pace and slower bowlers.
India was dismissed for 230 in the 46th over, which gave the Black Caps a 70-run victory.
What had earlier incensed the Indians, and turned the match, was umpire Chris King declining the convincing appeal for caught behind by wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia off Robin Singh's bowling.
Cairns had attempted to run a ball down fine, when it allegedly caught the edge of the bat.
Cairns's body language almost gave the game away as he appeared to take an involuntary step forward towards departing the crease before waiting for King's verdict.
India's displeasure was obvious as Mongia underarmed the ball back to captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who swatted the ball into the ground.
Cairns had another life on 75 - or should that be five lives - when he swung a ball high through the leg side and boundary rider Nikhil Chopra had the ball five times in his grasp.
But five frustrating times it eluded him and for the ultimate insult, the ball dropped over the line for one of Cairns seven sixes.
Cairns and Nash shared a rapid fire 85-run fifth wicket stand in just 33 minutes, of which Cairns contributed 67, as he unleashed his raw hitting power on the hapless Indian attack. At the 30-over mark the New Zealand innings was 123 for two and a total of 240-250 was the most realistic expectation. Cairns made a mockery of that with his explosive innings.
Earlier, the New Zealand innings had a disastrous start when Matt Horne and Bryan Young suffered a wretched run out, almost identical to Napier when both players finished up at one end.
It was unfortunate, but fitting that Horne went this time, after Young had been the unlucky victim last time.
Young went on to score 57 from 75 balls before being run out as the ball was deflected on to the stumps by bowler Saurav Ganguly from a straight drive by Roger Twose. With Twose (63 from 88 balls), Young had rebuilt the innings steadily after the early departures of Horne and Craig McMillan.
The win was New Zealand's first in five day-night matches since the lights have been installed at the ground and ensured the series and prize-money was shared.
The electronic scoreboard at the ground had another of its numerous malfunctions, missing a chunk of the Indian innings, but it hardly mattered as man-of-the-match Cairns had put the issue almost beyond doubt half way through the game.
India had the misfortune to be without batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar for the match after he bruised a hand in the previous game.