India vs New Zealand 5th T20I Match Preview – January 31, 2026

Match Details

• Date: Saturday, 31 January 2026
• Time: 07:00 PM IST | 01:30 PM GMT
• Venue: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, India
• Series: New Zealand Tour of India, 2026 – 5th T20I
• Format: T20 International
• Series Context: Final T20I before the 2026 T20 World Cup; crucial for squad selection and momentum.

Match Significance

The 5th T20I between India and New Zealand is the final fixture of the 2026 T20I series. India, currently holding a commanding lead in the series, will aim to secure a clean sweep to gain confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup. New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to end the series on a high and showcase their competitive spirit on home soil in India.

Teams in Focus

India

India has been in excellent form, with a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents. Suryakumar Yadav leads the charge with his aggressive batting, while the likes of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan provide firepower in the middle. The bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, has been clinical in the death overs.

Key Players to Watch:

• Abhishek Sharma: The explosive opener, averaging over 50, has been a match-winner in this series.
• Suryakumar Yadav (C): The captain with a high strike rate and ability to anchor or accelerate.
• Jasprit Bumrah: The undisputed death-overs specialist and leading wicket-taker for India.
• Kuldeep Yadav: A spin threat in the middle overs, with a knack for picking up crucial wickets.

New Zealand

New Zealand has shown resilience and adaptability in the series so far. Glenn Phillips has been the standout performer with the bat, while Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi have provided balance with the ball. The Kiwis will look to capitalize on any misfiring from the Indian side and aim to pull off an upset.

Key Players to Watch:

• Glenn Phillips: The series-leading run-scorer and a vital force in the middle order.
• Mitchell Santner: A key all-rounder with contributions in both batting and bowling.
• Jacob Duffy: A wicket-taking machine and a crucial cog in the Kiwis' bowling attack.
• Daryl Mitchell: A consistent run-scorer and a reliable finisher.

Venue and Conditions

Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

• Pitch Type: Balanced, with slight assistance to spinners in the middle overs.
• Historical Scores:
  • First Innings Average: 155
  • Second Innings Average: 143
• Wicket Breakdown:
  • Powerplay Overs (1-6): 2.5 wickets
  • Middle Overs (7-15): 1.25 wickets
  • Death Overs (16-20): 2 wickets
• Winning Strategy: Teams batting first have a 55% win rate at this venue.

Weather Conditions:

• Temperature: 33°C
• Humidity: 58%
• Wind Speed: 5.8 km/h
• Visibility: 6 km
• Outlook: Cloudy skies, ideal for a high-scoring T20 encounter.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 T20Is)

• India Wins: 4
• New Zealand Wins: 1

India has the upper hand in recent encounters, and this form is likely to continue unless the Kiwis make a significant tactical shift.

Predicted Playing XI

India

1. Sanju Samson (WK)
2. Abhishek Sharma
3. Shreyas Iyer
4. Suryakumar Yadav (C)
5. Hardik Pandya
6. Rinku Singh
7. Ishan Kishan (WK)
8. Jasprit Bumrah
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Ravindra Jadeja

New Zealand

1. Finn Allen (WK)
2. Devon Conway
3. Rachin Ravindra
4. Daryl Mitchell
5. Glenn Phillips
6. Tim Seifert (WK)
7. Matt Henry
8. Jacob Duffy
9. Lockie Ferguson
10. Ish Sodhi
11. Kyle Jamieson

Captain and Vice-Captain Suggestions

India

• Captain: Suryakumar Yadav (8.5 CR, 110 PTs)
• Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya (8 CR, 118 PTs)

New Zealand

• Captain: Mitchell Santner (9.5 CR, 117 PTs)
• Vice-Captain: Glenn Phillips (8 CR, 0 PTs)

Match Prediction and Fantasy Tips

• Winning Team Prediction: India to win with a tight chase or a strong total.
• Top Run-Scorer: Abhishek Sharma (India) or Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
• Wicket-Taker: Jasprit Bumrah (India) or Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)
• Dream11 Team Suggestions: Available on Possible11, Cricbuzz, and ESPNcricinfo.
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar

Conclusion

The 5th T20I between India and New Zealand promises to be a thrilling contest, with both sides eager to finish the series on a high. India's firepower and New Zealand's adaptability will be on full display. With a balanced pitch and favorable weather, expect fireworks from both ends. This match will not only decide the series but also set the tone for the T20 World Cup.

Catch the action on 31 January at 07:00 PM IST at Greenfield International Stadium!
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