New Zealand vs West Indies – 5th T20I Match Preview (2025-11-13, 00:15 GMT)

Venue: University Oval, Dunedin
Date: Thursday, 13th November 2025
Time: 00:15 GMT / 05:45 AM IST / 12:15 PM Local (Dunedin)

Series Context

The West Indies and New Zealand are locked in a five-match T20I series that has already seen its fair share of twists and drama. New Zealand currently holds a commanding 21-run lead in the series, and with just one game remaining, the Black Caps are on the verge of securing a series win. A win for the West Indies in this final match will bring the series level, making it a high-stakes encounter.

Team Form

New Zealand:
New Zealand have been in formidable form, with a balanced attack and a strong batting lineup. Tim Robinson has been a revelation, scoring 89 runs in the series, while the spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy has been instrumental in tight situations. The team’s ability to chase down targets and defend them efficiently has been the key to their success in this series.

West Indies:
The Windies have shown glimpses of their explosive potential, particularly with the bat. Romario Shepherd has been in red-hot form, scoring 92 runs at an average of 46 and a strike rate of 167.3. The West Indies’ bowling attack, led by Jason Holder and Matthew Forde, has also been effective, especially in the death overs.

Venue Insights – University Oval, Dunedin

The University Oval in Dunedin is a batting-friendly venue, known for its flat pitches and quick outfield. Since 2022, teams batting second have had a 63.6% win rate, suggesting that chasing is often the better option here. The average first-innings score at this venue over the past three years has been around 177-180, with spinners finding more purchase in the middle overs.

• Average 1st Innings Score (2022–2025): 177.7
• Win % when batting second: 63.6%
• Favorable for: Batsmen, teams chasing

Key Players to Watch

New Zealand:

• Tim Robinson: The all-rounder has been the standout performer with the bat in this series, and his contributions with the ball could be crucial.
• Jacob Duffy: A wicket-taking machine, especially in the death overs.
• Daryl Mitchell: A destructive middle-order hitter, Mitchell is expected to play a big role in the batting line-up.

West Indies:

• Romario Shepherd: His explosive batting can change the course of the game in an instant.
• Shai Hope: The captain and wicketkeeper is a reliable anchor and can accelerate when needed.
• Matthew Forde: A key bowler in the middle and death overs, Forde can be a match-winner.

Head-to-Head

In the last five T20Is between these two teams, the results have been evenly split:

• New Zealand: 2 wins
• West Indies: 2 wins
• 1 washout

The current series is tight, with New Zealand holding a 21-run lead. A win in this match will either secure the series for the Black Caps (31-run lead) or push it to a 22-run advantage in favor of New Zealand.

Predictions

Toss Winner: New Zealand
Winning Team: New Zealand
Top Batsman: Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) or Shai Hope (West Indies)
Top Bowler: Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) or Matthew Forde (West Indies)
Most Sixes: Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) or Shai Hope (West Indies)
Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
Team Scores:

• New Zealand: 180+
• West Indies: 170+

Note: Predictions are based on form, venue conditions, and current trends. Actual match outcomes may vary.

Final Thoughts

This final T20I between New Zealand and West Indies promises to be a thrilling encounter. With the series in the balance and both teams having key players in form, the match is set to deliver high-intensity cricket. The conditions at Dunedin should favor aggressive batting, but the West Indies’ explosive batting and New Zealand’s clinical bowling could make for a close contest. Fans can expect fireworks from both sides in what could be a nail-biting finish.

Catch the action as it happens on the 13th of November, 2025 at the University Oval, Dunedin!
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