India defeated New Zealand 3-2 in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie to progress through to the World Group Playoffs after Yuki Bhambri sealed the fifth rubber 6-2 6-2 6-3 against Michael Venus in Christchurch on Sunday.

Somdev Devvarman, who lost his first singles match from a winning position came back strongly in the must win fourth rubber match.

India lead 4-3 against New Zealand in head-to-head meetings, having won the last four contests between the two countries – the last one being in 2012.

India have the world’s number 10 doubles player in Bopanna, fresh from reaching the doubles semi-final at Wimbledon.

Somdev’s win levelled the proceedings and piled up the pressure on Yuki Bhambri who was up next.

Playing a consistent, if at times unspectacular game he was able to subdue the powerful Kiwi and win the first set 6-2.

The reward for the victor will be a September encounter with one of either the United States, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland or Brazil, with a crack at a place in the 2016 World Group on the line for the New Zealand team.

Earlier, Somdev delivered when it mattered the most taming Daniell in two hours and 18 minutes to keep India afloat in the tie. Statham raised his game a bit, putting up some fight against Yuki as the first five games went on serve.

Daniell kept fighting hard, saving two break chances in the third game of the second set, which was on serve till eighth game. But Somdev found a way to get that elusive break in the ninth and converted his first set point in the next for a 2-0 lead in the crucial rubber. The Kiwi was down by two break points at the start of the third set but saved both.

Bhambri squandered his first match point firing a forehand into the net, and another went begging as Venus whizzed a backhand down the left sideline.