It was only Kaif's second ODI century in 95 matches

Mohammad Kaif struck an unbeaten century as India ended New Zealand's unbeaten record in the triangular series with a six-wicket victory.

Kaif struck 11 fours and was joined by Mahendra Dhoni, who smashed three fours and successive sixes in 37 off 27 balls to seal the win with 15 balls to spare.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, posting 278-9 from 50 overs.

Scott Styris (56) and Craig McMillan (40) put on 87 after Stephen Fleming had launched the innings with 47.

Both sides made changes for the game in Harare.

India recalled Virender Sehwag in place of Venugopal Rao while New Zealand included Chris Cairns and Andre Adams for Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori.

Ajit Agarkar dismisses Lou Vincent

Fleming opted to bat after winning the toss and put on 54 in 11 overs with Nathan Astle, who was eventually caught behind off Agarkar for 11.

Skipper Fleming followed with the total on 83, run out by a distance when he attempted a quick single and bowler Agarkar threw down the stumps.

It was the first of two run-outs, with Lou Vincent (37 off 23 balls) beaten by Yuvraj Singh's direct hit after the fielder had brilliantly stopped the ball with a full length dive.

When Yadav bowled Hamish Marshall for eight, New Zealand were in some trouble on 115-4.

But they were again well served by the depth of their batting as Styris and McMillan turned things back in their favour with some excellent running between the wickets.

We can see where improvements need to be made Stephen Fleming

They only hit five boundaries between them and once McMillan had been bowled by Agarkar, keeper Brendon McCullum joined in with an enterprising 28.

Jacob Oram hit a six and four in his 14 off five balls, but Pathan picked up a couple of cheap wickets and Nehra had Styris caught by Sehwag as the innings reached its close.

India's stroke-making openers Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly put on 66 before Ganguly hooked paceman Kyle Mills straight to fine-leg off the last ball of the seventh over for 19.

Sehwag, who hit three fours in one over from Andre Adams, followed when he was bowled for 45 by Jacob Oram, leaving India on 75-2 in the 10th over.

Kaif shared an assured partnership of 101 in 21 overs with Rahul Dravid, who struck 39 from 61 deliveries, with five fours.

The Indian requirement went from 56 off the final 10 overs to 30 from the last five, but Dhoni eased any concerns by launching successive sixes off substitute spinner Jeetan Patel, who was making his debut.

India meet Zimbabwe in a redundant final rubber on Sunday before facing the New Zealanders again in Tuesday's final.

Ganguly insisted that Sunday's game would be of significance. "It will offer an ideal opportunity to polish our performance," he said.

Meanwhile, Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns will miss the remainder of the tour after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

Jacob Oram is doubtful for the final against India, having also experienced problems with his hamstring.