The India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) rivalry reaches its peak today, Saturday (January 31), as both teams face off in the fifth and final T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. While India has already clinched the series 3-1, this match serves as the ultimate rehearsal before the T20 World Cup 2026.
Winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav elected to bat first. His strategy is clear: testing the bowlers’ ability to defend a total under challenging dewy conditions. In this India vs New Zealand clash, the Men in Blue are aiming for a 4-1 finish to head into the World Cup with maximum confidence.
Toss Update: India to Set the Target
The coin flipped in favor of the hosts in Thiruvananthapuram. “We want to put our bowlers through the rigors of defending a total in these conditions,” said Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner mentioned they would have likely opted to bowl first anyway.
India’s XI: 3 Major Changes
With the series already in the bag, India has made three tactical changes to their line-up:
- Ishan Kishan: Returns to the opening slot after recovering from a niggle.
- Axar Patel: Back in the side to strengthen the spin-bowling all-rounder department.
- Varun Chakravarthy: The mystery spinner gets another opportunity to showcase his magic.
Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi have been rested for this game. Tilak Varma remains sidelined as he recovers for the World Cup warm-ups.
New Zealand’s Bold Moves
The BlackCaps have made four changes, including the return of Finn Allen, fresh from his BBL success. Seamers Lockie Ferguson and Kyle Jamieson also return to the squad to provide extra pace on the Thiruvananthapuram deck.
IND vs NZ: Confirmed Playing XIs
| India (IND) | New Zealand (NZ) |
| 1. Abhishek Sharma | 1. Tim Seifert (wk) |
| 2. Sanju Samson (wk) | 2. Finn Allen |
| 3. Ishan Kishan | 3. Rachin Ravindra |
| 4. Suryakumar Yadav (capt) | 4. Glenn Phillips |
| 5. Rinku Singh | 5. Daryl Mitchell |
| 6. Hardik Pandya | 6. Bevon Jacobs |
| 7. Shivam Dube | 7. Mitchell Santner (capt) |
| 8. Axar Patel | 8. Kyle Jamieson |
| 9. Arshdeep Singh | 9. Ish Sodhi |
| 10. Varun Chakravarthy | 10. Lockie Ferguson |
| 11. Jasprit Bumrah | 11. Jacob Duffy |
Pitch Report & Weather Update
The Greenfield Stadium typically offers a balanced surface but has a history of slowing down as the match progresses.
- Winning Total: A score of 220+ is considered par for the first innings to stay safe.
- The Dew Factor: Heavy dew is expected in the second innings, which might make it difficult for the Indian spinners to grip the ball.
How to Watch IND vs NZ Live?
Catch the live action through the following platforms:
- TV Channels: JioStar Network Channels.
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App & Website.
- Time: 7:00 PM IST.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who won the toss in today’s India vs New Zealand match?
India won the toss and elected to bat first.
2. Where is the 5th T20I being played?
The match is being held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
3. What is the current series status?
India leads the 5-match series 3-1.
4. Why is this match important for India?
This is India’s final international T20I before they begin their title defense at the T20 World Cup 2026.
Conclusion
The India vs New Zealand series finale is more than just a game; it’s a statement of intent before the World Cup. Whether India finishes 4-1 or New Zealand bridges the gap to 3-2, fans are in for a high-scoring thriller tonight. Stay tuned for the post-match analysis!
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