Brendon McCullum anchored the run chase to give the Black Caps first blood against the touring Indian cricketers in Wednesday night's opening Twenty20 international in Christchurch.
McCullum was still there on 56 and Jacob Oram was unbeaten on 29, having hit the winning six as New Zealand reached their target of 163 with seven wickets and seven balls to spare.
The New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori says the bowlers responded well too, after Virender Sehwag hit his first three balls for six and had India 61 for five inside the first eight overs.
Vettori says he doesn't have too many complaints about the side's performance.
The second and final Twenty20 match is on Friday in Wellington.
