Michael Bracewell, New Zealand's spin all-rounder, has acknowledged that the hosts have been on the 'wrong side' of both T20I results against India in Christchurch and is determined to correct course in the must-win third T20I at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday, 26 October. Bracewell insisted there have been 'a lot of positives' from the two defeats and that the margin between the two sides has been razor-thin throughout the series.

Series context: two close finishes, two Indian wins

New Zealand have pushed the reigning T20 world champions hard in both matches in Christchurch. In the series opener, the Kiwis posted a demanding 226, forcing India into a record chase. The second game at Hagley Oval saw New Zealand come agonisingly close to defending 181, only for India to get over the line. Despite trailing 0-2 in the five-match series, the home side believe they are only a few decisive moments away from turning the tide.

What Bracewell said

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Bracewell was candid about the fine margins separating the two sides. 'I think it's been an exciting series so far. Obviously, we've been on the wrong side of both of those games, but I think it's been pretty evident in the finishes that it's been a very close series so far. There's a few things that we'd like to have back in terms of the last two games, but we'll be looking to right those wrongs coming here in Wellington,' he told reporters.

He added: 'I think any time you take on a top team in the world, there's a number of really good sides in international cricket. You have to be at your best, and I think we've been at our best for long periods of the game. It's just getting a complete performance together.'

The Naman Dhir moment and death-overs pressure

Bracewell was specific about the momentum-shifting passages of play that have cost New Zealand. He pointed to a six that Indian batter Naman Dhir hit off his bowling over deep mid-wicket at the end of the 14th over in the second T20I — a shot that turned a potential wicket into a 15-run over, swinging the game's momentum decisively toward India.

'I got hit for a six over the guy to the 85-metre boundary, just over his head. So if he just mistimes that a little bit, then it becomes a wicket, and I think that's a good indication of the fine margins that we have here in T20. Those things have gone India's way so far,' Bracewell said. He was careful to add that such moments are part of the sport's lottery: 'If I bowled that ball another 20 times, maybe there would be a couple of wickets in there as well.'

Camp confidence and do-or-die approach

Despite the two defeats, Bracewell reported a positive atmosphere within the New Zealand dressing room. He described the Wellington fixture as a 'do-or-die match for the series' but framed it as an opportunity rather than a burden. 'We've got huge confidence in the way that we're playing and really excited to go out there tomorrow and take the game on,' he said.

He also stressed that the remedy is more about sustaining quality phases rather than wholesale change: 'It's just about doing what we do really well just for a touch longer.' With three matches remaining and India needing just one more win to seal the series, New Zealand's campaign now hinges on whether they can convert their competitive passages into a complete, clinical performance in Wellington.