HARARE - New Zealand endured their worst day in Zimbabwe overnight (NZ time), but Stephen Fleming's disposition remained unsinkably sunny.
The Black Caps scored what looked like a towering 278 for nine -- the highest total by a team batting first in the triangular series -- but India reeled it
in with minimal fuss to win by six wickets with 15 balls remaining.
It was the first time New Zealand have tasted defeat on tour after two test triumphs and three wins in the triangular series.
But the New Zealand captain refused to be downbeat.
"We've got every reason to be optimistic, we're in good shape," Fleming said.
"It was a better game and we're happier with our batting performance, although it is disappointing to lose."
India were given a roaring start to their reply when Virender Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly shared 66 runs off 44 balls for the first wicket.
Mohammad Kaif kept them chugging along with a seamless 102 not out, and the result was never in doubt.
"We asked someone from their side to play well, and Kaif did that and won the match for them," Fleming said.
"We didn't adjust to Sehwag in time, we fed his areas too often.
"They got off to a flyer and we couldn't take wickets to peg them back.
"But we got some good information today."
New Zealand opted to rest Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori ahead of Tuesday's final against India, a decision that involved careful consideration.
"We've got 20 overs from our best strike bowlers sitting upstairs in the wings preparing for the final," Fleming said.
New Zealand consider Bond their trump card, and for good reason. The Canterbury Express is the most successful bowler in the tournament to date with 10 wickets at 5.10, and the last time the Indians faced him -- in Bulawayo last Friday -- he claimed a record haul of six for 19.
"We didn't want him to play against India today because we think he has an advantage over them," Fleming said.
"He just runs on auto-pilot and having him fresh is the key.
"You come up against a quality bowler and your last performance goes out of the window, and Shane is in a different league altogether.
"Unless you get used to facing him, and we've denied the Indian players that opportunity, you're going to be anxious about facing him.
"I would be -- he's hurt me a few times in domestic cricket."
Not forgetting Vettori's somewhat slower poison.
"He's a quality bowler, the best left-arm finger spinner around."
But Fleming bristled at the assertion that the New Zealand attack was ordinary without Bond and Vettori.
"Let's go through the other teams in the world -- take out Muralitharan and Vaas, let's take out Warne and McGrath, Harbhajan and whoever you want from India.
"I know what you're trying to say, but it's wrong."
Amid all that bullish positivity, Fleming couldn't hide his disappointment that Chris Cairns was able to bowl just three overs before his hamstring injury forced him off the field.
On top of that, Jacob Oram bowled just five overs because of his own hamstring strain.
"It's probably tour over for Cairns," Fleming said.
"Oram was just a bit stiff, so it was precautionary to take him off. He'll get some treatment and try and be in contention for the final."
- NZPA
Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif celebrates his century against the Black Caps last night. Picture / Reuters
HARARE - New Zealand endured their worst day in Zimbabwe overnight (NZ time), but Stephen Fleming's disposition remained unsinkably sunny.
The Black Caps scored what looked like a towering 278 for nine -- the highest total by a team batting first in the triangular series -- but India reeled it
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