The Super Over is not really New Zealand’s friend. That’s what skipper Kane Williamson said after a heart-breaking loss to India in the third T20I here on Wednesday.

India defeated the Black Caps via Super Over to clinch the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead.

New Zealand’s defeat brought back memories of the 2019 World Cup final, which they agonisingly lost to England on boundary count.

“Super Overs aren’t really our friends. To be honest, we would have liked to get across the line earlier and not in the Super Over. It’s just a shame that we couldn’t get home,” said a disappointed Williamson at the post-match media conference.

“It is pretty disappointing to be on the wrong side of the result after doing a lot of hard work. But there was a lot of improvement after the first two games. If we reflect on the match, then it was a brilliant game. India had a good total on that surface and they did well with the ball because it was taking some turn as well.

“The guys fought back nicely after the start India got with the bat. And we were able to build partnerships and take the game deep,” he added.

Asked about yet another disappointing Super Over, the New Zealand skipper said in jest: “In my opinion, we shouldn’t have them.”

He quickly added: “Look, it is what it is. It’s good fun. We had a full house at midnight, which is really cool. It’s good entertainment.

“I am probably not the person to ask as we came second in the Super Over again like a few other times. So it was not ideal, but people have enjoyed the game, and that’s fine.”

Williamson did all he could, both in the run chase (95 off 48 balls) and in the Super Over (11 not out), yet it did not prove to be enough.

Williamson was especially harsh on Jasprit Bumrah (0/45), who had an off day and then was expensive in the Super Over too. “You are just trying to do what is required for the team, as best you can, and there are a number of other contributions that are really important,” Williamson said.

“Starting on that surface was quite challenging. Everybody found so, but once you got in then, you try to get a bit of rhythm and the partnerships were the most positive thing of that run chase. Overall, it was a much better performance.”