After three heavy defeats, New Zealand finally found their rhythm and defeated India by 50 runs in the 4th T20I, keeping the series alive. The win brought much-needed confidence back into the Kiwi camp ahead of the series decider.
New Zealand’s opening pair Tim Seifert and Devon Conway gave India a taste of their own medicine with a strong start. Despite a middle-order wobble, the visitors finished well and then backed it up with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Their plan against Abhishek Sharma worked immediately, and India were always playing catch-up.
For India, the experimental approach did not pay off in the previous game. However, with the 5th T20I being the final match before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, both sides are expected to field their strongest possible XI.
India are set to bring back Ishan Kishan and Varun Chakravarthy, while New Zealand will welcome Finn Allen. There is also a chance of Lockie Ferguson or James Neesham returning, making this a high-intensity series finale.
The 5th T20I will be played at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday evening.
IND vs NZ Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | India vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026 |
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I |
| Date | Saturday, 31 January 2026 |
| Time | 07:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
Match Preview
India
India have dominated most of the series, winning four of the five games so far. The return of Ishan Kishan will strengthen the top order, while Varun Chakravarthy adds control and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.
India’s batting depth, combined with experienced bowlers like Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Kuldeep, keeps them ahead despite the previous loss.
Key Players:
Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Ishan Kishan
New Zealand
New Zealand finally showed fight in the 4th T20I, executing their plans well. Their batting looks more settled with Finn Allen’s return, and their bowling unit gained confidence after restricting India.
However, consistency remains an issue, and they will need another near-perfect performance to beat India again.
Key Players:
Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| India | 17 |
| New Zealand | 11 |
| No Result | 1 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| India | W, W, W, W, L |
| New Zealand | W, L, L, L, W |
Weather & Pitch Report – Thiruvananthapuram
Weather Update
- Temperature: 26–28°C
- Humidity: 65–75%
- Rain: 0% chance
Pitch Report
- Batting-friendly surface
- Spinners get assistance as the game progresses
- Chasing slightly tricky under lights
- Par score: 155–165
Greenfield International Stadium – T20I Stats
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 7 |
| Bat First Wins | 4 |
| Bat Second Wins | 3 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 155 |
| Highest Score | 235/4 |
| Lowest Score | 61/6 |
Predicted Playing XI
India
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand
- Finn Allen
- Tim Seifert
- Devon Conway
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- James Neesham
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
- Matt Henry
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Hardik Pandya
- Finn Allen
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Glenn Phillips
Grand League (Risk Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tim Seifert
- Ishan Kishan
- Mitchell Santner
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
New Zealand will be stronger with key players returning, but India rarely lose back-to-back games at home. The return of Varun Chakravarthy adds control in the middle overs, and Ishan Kishan strengthens the batting at the top.
New Zealand will compete harder than before, but India’s overall balance and form still give them the edge.
Predicted Winner: India
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | No injury updates |
| India | No injury updates |
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