At Pune, November 24. India won by five wickets. Toss: India.

Despite a brilliant all-round performance from Cairns, India pulled ahead for the first time in the series. Cairns scored 103 from 87 balls, with four sixes and ten fours, his first century for New Zealand. But, though he added 147 with Twose to pull New Zealand well past the 200 mark, it was too late to recover fully from 75 for four. Strokeplay became ever easier in the afternoon and the Indians made steady progress to their target. Brisk progress by Kambli and Azharuddin was backed up by a quick 36 from Mongia and Manjrekar's more sedate 47. Cairns picked up three wickets, but the match was in India's bag.

Man of the Match: C. L. Cairns.

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