The series is already done, but this one still matters. This feels less like a dead rubber and more like a statement game. Can India close it out 4–1 or do New Zealand finally finish strong?
India lead 3–1 heading into the fifth and final T20I, yet the mood isn’t as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. New Zealand finally fired in Visakhapatnam, India’s bowling looked leaky again, and both sides now have one last chance to tune up before switching fully into T20 World Cup 2026 mode.
Match Details
| Match | Details |
|---|---|
| India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I | New Zealand tour of India, 2026 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 31, 2026 – 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
Head-to-Head: IND vs NZ in T20Is
| Matches Played | 29 |
|---|---|
| India Wins | 15 |
| New Zealand Wins | 11 |
| Tied/NR | 3 |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Prediction
India bossed the first three games: Nagpur, Raipur and Guwahati were one-way traffic. But Visakhapatnam exposed a few cracks.
Bowling first, India conceded 215, their second 200+ concession of the series. Even when defending, they’ve leaked 190. The wickets haven’t come early, and run rates around 10 an over have become the norm rather than the exception.
New Zealand, meanwhile, finally looked like a side with clarity. Better roles, sharper intent, and crucially, finishing power lower down the order. Momentum isn’t fully with India anymore.
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Predicted India Playing XI
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.
Varun Chakravarthy likely returns after India’s middle-over struggles without him.
Predicted New Zealand Playing XI
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Rachin Ravindra may sit out with Finn Allen’s return.
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Greenfield Stadium Thiruvananthapuram Pitch Report
Greenfield stats and numbers can be deceptive. On paper, it’s balanced. In reality, it slows down as the game goes on and dew plays a major role under lights.
- India have won 3 of 4 T20Is at this venue
- Average first-innings score: ~170
- Anything below 200 is chaseable if dew sets in
- Teams batting first need to think 210+, ideally 220, to feel safe
Expect a good batting surface early, with grip disappearing later.
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IND vs NZ 5th T20I Betting Tips
- Winner: India have plenty of bowling options and batting firepower. If New Zealand can get off to another fast start like in the last game, India will be under pressure again. India is still favourites.
- Best Batter: Back Abhishek Sharma for the best batter pick. Devon Conway is another reliable option
- Best Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah may not be at his best but still delivers. Back him to be the best bowler in the fifth Twenty 20 International.
- Toss Prediction: The captain winning the toss would look to bowl first
- Team Score (1st innings): If India bats first ,they can rack up 200+ total. The New Zealand are expected to score less than 200 batting first.
FAQs – IND vs NZ 5th T20I
India start as slight favourites due to home advantage and squad depth, but New Zealand’s recent form makes this a closer contest than earlier games.
Anything above 210 is competitive. Scores below 190 are risky due to dew.
Yes. Evening matches at Greenfield often see heavy dew, making chasing easier.
Devon Conway, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma as a high-impact differentials.
India are expected to bring Varun back after missing his control and wicket-taking ability in the fourth T20I.
