With the series already won, India used the fourth T20I to experiment, a move that ended in a 50-run defeat at Vizag.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team wanted to test their batting depth after early wickets, calling the loss a “good lesson”.
New Zealand outclassed India with strong performances in batting, bowling, and fielding to post 215 runs.
Shivam Dube fought hard with a quickfire 65 off 23 balls, standing out in India’s chase.
Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each but couldn’t stop the big total.
India’s second-biggest home T20I defeat served as a reality check before the T20 World Cup.