After losing three quick wickets of Rohit Sharma (15), Shubman Gill (11) and Virat Kohli (11), India were struggling at 3-30. when Iyer joined the crease with Axar Patel (42).

The duo joined to add 98 runs in their partnership to recover the innings after initial jolts hammered by Kiwi bowlers.

After Patel departed, dismissed by Rachin Ravindra, KL Rahul (23) joined Iyer for another 44-run stand.

Iyer missed scoring the century after O'Rourke dismissed him.

Hardik Pandya joined late and hit 45-ball 45 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja contributed 16 to help India post 249 runs on the scorecard.

Matt Henry remained the destructive force in the New Zealand innings as he picked up five wickets by giving away 42 runs.