Sachin Tendulkar smashed a breath-taking 163 to set up India's thumping 53-run win over New Zealand in the third one-dayer to give visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series here on Sunday.

Put in to bat by stand-in Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum, a vintage Sachin Tendulkar scored his 43rd century, his maiden ton in New Zealand, before retiring hurt to guide India to an intimidating 392 for four. New Zealand made a strong reply with the pair of McCullum (71) and Jesse Ryder (105) stitching a 166-run partnership for the opening wicket before losing way in the middle overs.