Very different questions to answer for India and NZ in Vizag

Last time a men's T20I was played in Vizag, it was in the long shadows of a home World Cup, with India's bench strength and a stand-in captain trying to mend hearts after a loss in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

This time, the coastal city hosts a full-strength India squad back in town. Not to heal but to hone. Another home World Cup beckons, this time in the T20 format, and India arrive with an unfinished story from two years ago.

With the series secured, India can shift focus to fine-tuning their squad, putting the spotlight on Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper-batter has not found form since reclaiming his spot at the top of the order, especially with Ishan Kishan waiting in the wings.

Samson was among players in India's optional practice session, spending extended time in the nets across two stints.

"Sanju is one knock away from getting his form back," India's bowling coach Morne Morkel said. "For us building up to the World Cup, it's important for the guys to find peak performance at the right time. He's training well, hitting the ball well. The main focus is that the team is winning."

New Zealand kept things light ahead of the fourth T20I, with only three players at practice. There is more at stake for them, not just in the series scoreline, but in how far behind modern methods they have looked recently.

They have been hampered by squad flux, with several first-choice players injured or unavailable, but the nature of their defeats would hurt. They now face those questions at a venue with no T20I experience for them.

Where: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
When: Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM local
What to expect: Usually a good batting track where the ball can swing. Minimal dew was observed during India's practice. Tickets are "almost a sell-out."

Axar Patel, who hurt his hand in the first T20I, had a long batting and bowling stint in the nets and is expected to return. India may rest Hardik Pandya after three consecutive matches. Arshdeep Singh also had a long practice and could replace Harshit Rana.

Probable XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya/Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi/Vaun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand would like in-form Daryl Mitchell to bat higher and face more balls, potentially prompting a batting order rejig. He has opened in a T20 World Cup before, an option given Tim Seifert and Devon Conway's form.

Kristian Clarke and Tim Robinson have been released from the squad, Finn Allen is yet to arrive. James Neesham has had time to acclimatize and will be in contention. Lockie Ferguson bowled fully in the nets but is unlikely to play.

Probable XI: Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert (w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

Stats:

• Since 2024, India have won each of their 11 T20I bilateral series/tournaments, joint-longest streak with Pakistan (2016-18).
• India's batters are striking at 210.98 per 100 balls this series; no team has scored faster in a T20I series batting at least three times.
• New Zealand have lost their last nine completed T20Is to India, Australia, and England.

Quotes:
"With the 11 we can pick, we've got 11 match winners. Everybody has an 'X' factor. There's no guarantee of being in the 11. It's about who's suited best for conditions." – Morne Morkel, India bowling coach

"To sing our winning team song would be cool, but we've got to look deeper than wins and losses. We've got to ensure we're looking at the longer term. Historically, New Zealand have peaked well during ICC events." – Jacob Oram, NZ bowling coach