RANCHI: A half-century from Martin Guptill helped New Zealand beat India by 19 runs in their fourth one-day international on Wednesday and level the five-match series at 2-2.

After opting to bat first, Guptill's top-scoring 72 runs off 84 balls helped New Zealand reach 260-7 before the hosts were bowled out for 241 runs in 48.4 overs.

"It was really pleasing that I put in a decent effort to get the team through a defendable total," said Guptill, who was coming off a disappointing series of scores. "I didn't think it would be the highest score of the match. But it was only halfway point and we needed to do a job."

He was dropped twice by Mishra, first at mid-on off Umesh Yadav in the seventh over, and then at long off in the 23rd off Jadhav. Guptill was finally out caught behind off Pandya three overs later, while Williamson was later caught behind off Mishra (2-42).

Neesham (6) lobbed a simple catch to Kohli at cover, BJ Watling (14) was caught in the deep and Taylor was run-out by Dhoni, who deflected a throw from the deep onto the stumps.

New Zealand had gone from 184-2 to 223-6.

Anton Devcich (11) chipped a catch straight to cover, while Santner and Southee attempted a late flourish, but only 99 runs came off the last 20 overs.

"It was an improved effort," Williamson said. "We wanted to build partnerships through the innings but it wasn't an easy surface to bat on. You always want more, but 260 allowed us to build pressure with the ball. The bowling effort was outstanding."

The final ODI will be played in Vishakhapatnam on Saturday.