India vs New Zealand, NZ in IND, 5 T20Is, 2026 Jan 31 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! Rinku Singh wraps things up with a wicket! He drags his length back again, outside off. Ish Sodhi has to reach out for it again but only manages to slice it off the outer half of the bat. It lobs up in the air, and Arshdeep Singh at cover-point takes a dolly. He puts the ball in his pocket as he has taken a fifer here. INDIA WIN BY 46 RUNS!

Flatter, short and outside off, Ish Sodhi reaches out but shanks it off the toe-end towards point.

SIX! Just over! Tossed up, full and on middle, Ish Sodhi clears his front leg away and launches it down the ground. Abhishek Sharma at long on thinks he is the game, moves to his right but only watches it sail over his head for a biggie.

Short and around off, Jacob Duffy swats it to long off for a single.

Looped up, full and on middle, Ish Sodhi uses his feet and slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Floated, full and on off, Jacob Duffy backs away and lofts it to long off for one.

A shout for LBW, but turned down! However, SKY takes the review here. Flatter, shortish and on middle and leg, Ish Sodhi looks to heave it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. Ball Tracking shows that it is missing the leg stump. The on-field calls remains.

SIX! That is a shot a top-order batter will be proud of! Tossed up, full and on middle, Ish Sodhi skips down the track, lofts it with a straight bat over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Superb effort in the deep! Short and around off, Ish Sodhi carves it away over extra cover. Rinku Singh from deep point covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to push the ball back inside just in time. He saves two runs for his side. Even with the match already in the bag, he is still putting his all on the field.

Flighted, full and on middle, Ish Sodhi drags it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? Surprise, surprise. Abhishek Sharma to roll his arm over.

FOUR! Jasprit Bumrah goes for 58 in his 4 overs! He bowls this in the blockhole, angling into leg. Jacob Duffy backs away to dig it out, but gets it from the toe-end of the bat. The bounce takes it over Ishan Kishan as it races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Off cutter, short and outside off, Sodhi dabs it to the right of short third for a single. 200 up for New Zealand.

Slow again, on top of middle. Jacob heaves it to deep square leg for a single.

Short and slow, outside off, Jacob Duffy pulls it off the top edge. But the ball lands safely in the vast acreage of deep mid-wicket. Two taken.

Hard length and around off, Ish Sodhi punches it through cover-point for one.

FOUR! Oh..that is an outrageous shot! Jasprit Bumrah nails the yorker, outside off. Ish Sodhi somehow gets his bat down, opens the face and squeezes it out to the third man fence for a boundary. Bumrah can only smile.

Jacob Duffy is the last man in for New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah (3-0-45-0) is back on for his final over. Didn't have a promising evening by his standards. Could he cap it off with a wicket?

OUT! TIMBER! Number nine goes now now. Axar Patel gives this one some more flight, full and on middle, Lockie Ferguson dances down the track to slog it across the line but misses a straight one as it goes through to rattle the stumps. India need just one wicket to win now.

Flatter, full and around off, Ish Sodhi uses his feet again to drive it through cover but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Gets hold of that one! Flighted, full and on middle, Ish Sodhi skips down the track and heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Short and on leg, Lockie Ferguson works it through square leg for one.

Another missed stumping! Ishan Kishan has not had a great night behind the stumps. Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Ish Sodhi uses his feet to slog it but it looks like he misses. Kishan, behind the stumps, fails to gather it cleanly. They cross. Oh..on the replay, it shows that Sodhi did get some bat on that, maybe that's why Kishan missed it.

Short and around leg, Lockie Ferguson flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A spell of two halves for Arshdeep Singh. Was carted for 40 runs in his first two overs. Came back strongly with a five-for and conceded just 11 runs in his last two. Axar Patel (3-0-23-2) to bowl out now.

A full toss, on off, Lockie Ferguson steers it wide of point. Sanju Samson dives to his right and makes a half-stop. They cross.

The batters keep coming in and going out. With the final rites being read, Lockie Ferguson walks in at number 10.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Fifer for Arshdeep, and he is off running and celebrating here. He bowls a wide yorker, outside off. Daryl Mitchell gets into position to play the reverse scoop and takes it on the full as well. However, the ball goes off the toe-end of the bat and crashes onto the stumps. No idea how that ball hit the stumps from there, as even if Mitchell tried, he could not do it again. He departs for 26 off 12, and the Kiwis are 8 down now.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Ish Sodhi jams it out through extra cover for one.

Another one bites the dust. Ish Sodhi is in at number 9.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Number four for Arshdeep Singh. He bangs this into the pitch, on off, rolls his fingers to take pace off. Kyle Jamieson opens up his stance for the big heave across the line but goes through the shot early. He only manages to get a bottom edge back onto the stumps. New Zealand are 179/7 now.

FOUR! Just over! A deceptive slower bouncer, on middle, Kyle Jamieson looks to pull it away but gets a top edge behind. Ishan Kishan leaps high in the air but the ball still evades him and goes to the fence for a boundary. Arshdeep is telling Kishan that he could have done better but the ball was too high to be fair.

FOUR! That is a fine shot! Good length and around off, Kyle Jamieson backs away and punches it on the rise towards long off. Rinku Singh runs to his left from long on but has no chance of stopping that from going to the fence.

Good length, on off stump. Daryl goes down to sweep it between deep fine leg and deep square. Axar charges across from the latter position to his right, and they manage to come back for a couple of runs.

Flights it up, on a length, on off. Kyle Jamieson hangs back and tries to pull, but gets a thick inside edge onto the back thigh. It rolls past Kishan to his left for a single at deep fine leg.

A touch fuller, just outside off, Daryl Mitchell looks to drive it away, but gets a thick inside edge past the stumps towards short fine leg for a single.

Good length just outside off, turning back in and bouncing a bit extra. Mitchell drops to one knee to attempt the paddle but misses, and Kishan shuffles across behind the stumps, failing to gather it cleanly.

A touch full, on leg, Kyle misses to get any connection and the ball rolls off the pads to backward square leg. They get a leg bye.

Out goes Bevon and the crease has a new occupant. Kyle Jamieson is in at number 8.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! An absolute beauty from Varun. A deceptive googly from Varun Chakaravarthy, on a length, around off. It lands and skids and spins in dramatically. Bevon Jacobs does not pick the wrong' un and tries to drive it away, but without moving his feet. That creates a huge gap between the bat and pad and the ball sneaks through to crash into the stumps behind. Bevon Jacobs falls for 7 (11) and New Zealand are 166/6, needing 106 more off 35 balls.

IN THE AIR... LANDS SAFE! Hits the deck hard, does Bumrah. On top of off, Jacobs tries to club it downtown, but badly mistimes it off the toe end. The ball, luckily for him, lands safely in thereabouts of mid on. They cross. 22 runs from Bumrah's third over.

FOUR! Up and over! Pace on, full and on off, Bevon Jacobs stays leg side, and tonks it over the mid off fielder for a cracking boundary!

An attempted yorker, on middle, Daryl shovels it out and drills it down to long on for a single.

SIX! Clears the ropes yet again! Slower ball, nipping in from off, on a good length. Daryl Mitchell heaves it powerfully behind deep backward square leg for a huge six. 16 from the over, with 3 balls to go.

SIX! Goes all the way! Short of a good length, on middle and leg. Daryl Mitchell pulls it off the back foot. Gets it more off the top edge but the ball clears long leg fence for a six.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Full and straight, lasered on the stumps, Daryl Mitchell spanks it straight down the ground, and by the time Hardik could move a muscle, the ball races away for a boundary.

Short, outside off, slapped off the back foot to long on for a single.

Full and outside off, worked away to long off for one.

Slightly short, turning in prodigiously with some bounce. Bevon tries the pull shot, but the ball beats the inside edge and raps him on the back thigh.

FOUR BYES! Kishan misses collecting this and frustrations rise for Varun. Short and turning the other way, Bevon swings and misses. It beats him on the outside edge. Kishan fails to pick it and can’t make the stop, as the ball races away to the third man fence.

PUT DOWN! Abhishek Sharma is the guilty party and Varun Chakaravarthy is not a happy bowler at the moment. A touch short, on the stumps, skidding in. Bevon Jacobs is hurried on the back foot and tamely chips it to short mid-wicket. Abhishek Sharma dives to his left and the ball pops in and out of his palms.

NEARLY! That was so close to the leg stump. Around off, on a length, sharply spinning, almost square into the batter. Bevon Jacobs tries to work it across on the front foot, but the ball sneaks through the gate and beats the inside edge, scarily passing close to the leg stump. Good take from Ishan behind the sticks, to his left.

Much fuller, at 134.8 kph, on off, Bevon Jacobs muscles it down to long off for a single. A sensational over from Arshdeep Singh. A couple of wickets and just a single off it. New Zealand need 134 from 48 balls.

And again! Another half-tracker, on the leg stump. Bevon dodges the bullet fired at him and leaves.

A sharp bumper, on top of the stumps, Bevon Jacobs ducks under it and lets it fly back to the keeper.

Arshdeep Singh with the double strike in the over. That brings Bevon Jacobs out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! It is all going south for New Zealand now. Arshdeep goes pace on and into the pitch, short, on top of middle. Mitchell Santner is rushed onto his pull shot, but only manages to slice it straight up the chimney. The ball sails towards extra cover where Suryakumar Yadav gets under it and takes the dolly. Even before he took the catch, Arshdeep already started celebrating. A brilliant comeback from him in this spell. A silver duck for Mitchell Santner and the Kiwis are 137/5.

Nagging length, outside off, bunted down the pitch off the back foot.

Skipper Mitchell Santner walks out to bat, with his side in a spot of bother.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another set batter bites the dust. A knuckle ball from Singh, short and outside off. Rachin Ravindra gets deceived by the pace off. Is forced to reach for it and mistimes his pull shot off the top edge. Axar Patel runs in a bit off the ropes from deep square leg and takes a fine catch. Rachin Ravindra falls for 30 off 17 balls and from 117/1, New Zealand slide down to 137/4.

Arshdeep Singh (2-0-40-1) comes back into the attack now.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Serves it full and around off, Daryl Mitchell gets on top of it and bludgeons it downtown for a cracking boundary. New Zealand still need 135 from 54 balls.

On a length, on the stumps, this is clubbed down to long on for a single.

Dropped full, on off, drilled down to long on for a single.

Full and flat, around off, Daryl reverse sweeps off the inside edge to the first slip.

The Kiwis just losing their way a little now. Daryl Mitchell is the next man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Wicket number 2 for Axar and catch number two for Rinku as well. Back of a length on the middle stump line with no turn on offer. Phillips clears the front leg and goes hard down the ground, but it comes right off the bottom half of the bat and balloons straight up into the night sky. Rinku Singh at long on shuffles to his left, camps under it, and plucks a simple catch. Glenn Phillips departs for 7 (6) and suddenly, New Zealand have slipped a bit to 131/3.

Slides in from off, at 92.9 kph, GP backs away and punches it to cover.

DRINKS BREAK! The batters, irrespective of both sides, have just toyed around with the bat. Finn Allen just displayed a brave counterpunch and carted the ball in all corners of the park. If we dissect the innings, at halfway, India were 102/2, and New Zealand are well ahead with 131/2 on the board. But they still require 141 runs from 60 balls. It's a massive ask, and they will have to keep going at 12s and 13s an over, in fact, even that won't be enough.

Fuller and on off, Glenn Phillips drills it away towards mid off and sets off for the run. The throw comes in at the bowler's end, but Phillips is very quick and makes his ground. A chance for an overthrow, but Phillips has backed away bit too much.

FOUR! Gets it away this time! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, does no bounce that much to trouble the batter. Glenn Phillips gets inside the line of it and plays no-look pull as the ball races to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Goes a bit fuller, outside off. Glenn Phillips goes chasing after it but fails to connect.

On a length and on middle, Glenn Phillips tucks it away with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Back of a length and on middle, Rachin Ravindra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Lovely pick up! Fuller one and on the pads, Rachin Ravindra picks it up off his pads and whips it over the deep backward square leg fielder for a biggie.

Take a bow, Finn Allen. That was some response in pursuit of this mammoth run chase. He trudges off, disappointed. But the Kiwi dugout admires his free-flowing knock. Took a long flight from Perth, landed here and just went on to his business like a routine. Now then, the platform is perfectly laid as Glenn Phillips walks in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Axar Patel breaks the 100-run stand and gets the big fish here. Ishan Kishan would be a relieved man as he missed a stumping chance on the first ball of the over. Axar drags his length back, bowls this quicker, on middle. Finn Allen tries to swat it down the ground but just gets a bit cramped up and does not get the timing on that one as the ball hits the upper half of the bat. It flies towards long on, where Rinku Singh settles under it and pouches it safely. Allen goes back after a remarkable 80 off 38. New Zealand are 117/2, chasing 272.

Slightly shorter in length, on off, Finn Allen opens the face of his bat and guides it through backward point for a brace. That brings up the 100-run stand between these two batters.

Flatter, full and on middle, Rachin Ravindra goes down and swipes it to deep square leg for a run.

Short and around off, Finn Allen punches it thruough extra cover or a single.

FOUR! Put away! Short delivery, on middle, Finn Allen quickly moves back and pulls it away in the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR BYES! To add to the woes, it was a stumping chance! Axar Patel sees the batter advance and bowls an arm ball, full and angling into leg. Finn Allen has a big swing but misses. Ishan Kishan, behind the stumps, is guilty of watching the batter and letting the ball through as it rolls behind to the fence for a boundary.

SIX! Rachin Ravindra gets going now! Flighted, full and around off, Rachin Ravindra gets down on one knee and plays the slog sweep. He does not get it from the middle but gets enough to send it over the long on fence for a biggie. 17 runs off the over!

Dragged back and outside off, Finn Allen slaps it hard and wide of long off. He calls for two, but the fielder is quick to move to his right and throws it back to keep it one.

SIX! Into the crowd! Fires this one full, on middle and leg, in the slot as well. Finn Allen picks it up cleanly and whips it away. He does not even look at it as the ball sails way over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Flatter, shortish and around off, Rachin Ravindra forces it to wide long off for a run.

Uppish but safe! Flatter, full and outside off. Rachin Ravindra tries to reach out for it but loses his bottom hand. He slices it in the air over extra cover. SKY runs backwards and dives but fails to reach it. Two taken.

Shorter in length and around off, Finn Allen punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Goes short again on leg, Finn Allen nudges it through mid-wicket for one. Fine comeback from Axar, after getting hit for a six on the first ball.

Flighted, full and outside off, Rachin Ravindra goes down for the sweep but gets a bottom edge. The bounce takes it over the keeper's head and the batters cross for one.

Fires one full and on leg, Finn Allen flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Almost dragged on! Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, Finn Allen backs away to punche it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. It could have easily gone back onto the stumps.

Flatter, full and angling in, Finn Allen knocks it wide of the bowler. Axar quickly moves to his right and dives to make a good stop.

SIX! Gets greeted in style! Floated, short and just outside off, turns away. Finn Allen stays back, reaches out for it and swats it powerfully over the long off fence for a biggie.

India are into a huddle. You usually see these visuals at the drinks break, but since the runs have leaked, India are just taking some time off to slow up things. Suryakumar Yadav is in the center of that circle and is pumping up his troops after an ordinary Powerplay. Going by his expressions, he looked very animated and understandably so. New Zealand are 79/1 after the Powerplay. At the same stage, India were 54/2. Well, okay. Just one over for Bumrah, as Axar Patel replaces him.

Another short delivery, on middle, Rachin Ravindra pulls it away wide of long on for a couple of runs. 13 runs off Varun's first over. New Zealand are 79/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

A googly, short once more, on middle and leg, Finn Allen punches it to long on for a single.

SIX! Into the stands! Varun Chakaravarthy bowls a half-tracker, on middle. Finn Allen picks up the length early. rocks back and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Quicker, shortish and angling into leg, Finn Allen moves back to work it away but gets hurried and the ball hits his pads.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR ALLEN! One chance, and he has made it count before the World Cup. This is his 6th half-century in T20Is, and it has come in just 22 balls. This is short again, on middle and leg. Finn Allen does not miss out this time and heaves it to deep mid-wicket or a boundary. He raises his bat to acknowledge his teammates.

Floated, short and on middle, turns in sharply. Finn Allen moves back to pull it but misses it completely and gets hit on the pads.

Laser straight, on off, on a hard length. Finn Allen tries to hit it across, but inside edges it onto the pads. The ball ricochets towards the point region for a single. 9 runs from Bumrah's first.

WIDE! For height! A half-tracker, outside off. It keeps taking off from the runway as Finn sways away from the line. Ishan leaps full-stretch and extends his right hand over his head and plucks the ball nicely. Wide called.

Cannons it on a fuller length, aimed at the pads, pitched slightly outside leg. Rachin tries to whip it across, but misses and the ball deflects off his front pad to widish backward point. They cross for a leg bye.

Hard length, around off, Allen dabs it off the back foot to the cover-point region for a quick run.

SIX! TAKE THAT, SAYS ALLEN! Proper response. Back of a length, outside off. Allen stands tall and with no intentions to keep it down, clubs it over long on for an 83-meter six.

SMELL THAT LEATHER, SAYS BUMRAH! A well-directed short ball, on top of off, nipping back in sharply. Finn Allen is a bit late on the pull shot, and is beaten all ends up.

On the money, is Bumrah! Slams the deck really hard, angling into the batter's bodyline. Finn Allen is rushed on the back foot as he tries to pull but gets beaten and takes a blow around his midriff.

Believe it or not, India were 55/2 at the end of the Powerplay. So, the Kiwis have already gone past that score and we are only 4 overs in. However, New Zealand will now have to face Jasprit Bumrah. It will be interesting to see how they battle him.

Skids through the deck, on off, on a length. Finn tries to heave it, but the ball rises up and gets sliced in the vacant mid on region for a single. 10 runs off the over. 23 from the last 2 for New Zealand.

Slams the deck hard, on middle, Rachin goes for a pull shot, but the ball beats the inside edge and is deflected off the back thigh pad to backward point for a leg bye.

FOUR! Just over! Hard length, outside off, a bit pace off. Rachin Ravindra does not time it well, but still, manages to clear the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary.

WHISKER! At 129.3 kph, this is slanted across on a good length. Rachin Ravindra does not move his feet at all and tries to punch it on the rise, but the ball keeps nibbling away and beats the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

Hits the deck hard, outside off, Rachin stabs it to mid off.

FOUR! The runs just keep coming for the Kiwis. On a length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra hangs back and pulls it aerially. Gets a bit of a top edge, but clears the inner ring and it races away to the fence. 50 up for New Zealand!

The umpires are checking the ball again. However, it goes through the gauge cleanly, and it has been thrown to Hardik Pandya, who will bowl this over.

FOUR MORE! 23 runs from the over! Arshdeep goes for a yorker, but misses by a fraction and slips in a low full toss, around off. Finn Allen spanks it to the right of mid off. Hardik could only give a cursory glimpse at that ball from mid off as it screams toward the ropes. 2-0-40-1 so far for Singh.

FOUR! Geez, he is hitting the ball with some venom! On a hard length, outside off, trying to angle the ball in, but it stays straight. Finn Allen presses back and powers it through the point and cover gap for a cracking boundary.

SIX! That has pinged off the bat! Arshdeep goes pace on, full and on off, Finn Allen gets under it, clears the front leg and hoists it high and handsom over long on. It hangs up there for an eternity and gets deposited in the stands behind.

FOUR! A shot of a confident batter! Back of a length, outside off, Finn Allen hops on the toes to ride the bounce and nails the square cut over backward point for a boundary.

FOUR! Up and over! Pitched on middle and leg, on a fuller length. Finn Allen plays with the swing and slices it uppishly. Clears the infield and gets a boundary at deep cover.

Full and on the pads, whipped away off the inner half to deep fine leg for a single.

On a hard length, on top of off. Allen rides the bounce and bunts it down the pitch.

DROPPED? Yes, a tough chance. Hardik couldn't even manage to get the fingertips on it. Pace off, on a good length, outside the off pole. Finn Allen shuffles a long way across the stumps to scoop, but he is put off by the lack of pace. The ball pops off the bottom end and flies over Hardik, who leaps and curves like a rubberband with his right hand stretched up to pluck the ball, but it lands safely.

Gentle away shape, on a fuller length, around off. Finn Allen plays from the crease and dabs it with soft hands to short third.

Away-angler, on a length, outside off, Allen presses back and knocks it to cover, but cannot get it past the protection there.

BEATEN! Angles in and then seams away from a length, outside off. Finn Allen plays the initial line, away from his body, looking to block. But the ball whistles past his outside edge, on the bounce to Kishan behind.

The umpires are not happy with the condition of the current ball, as it has hit the concrete part of the ground. Out comes the briefcase, and Jasprit Bumrah selects the replacement ball.

SIX! UP, UP, AND AWAY! He has made that look so, so easy. A slower one to start from Pandya, full and around off. Allen stands tall and effortlessly sails it over the sightscreen for a huge six.

Early blow for New Zealand. Rachin Ravindra walks out to bat at number 3. Also, Hardik Pandya to share the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft, soft dismissal and India have their first wicket. Singh bashes the hard length and gets a bit of an extra lift on the leg stump. Tim Seifert just checks the flick shot, but hits it off the higher end of the bat and fails to keep it along the ground. Ends up chipping it straight to Hardik Pandya at short mid-wicket, who takes a sitter around his chest. Tim Seifert perishes on 5 (3) and New Zealand are 17/1, chasing 272.

Arshdeep Singh is not happy with that wide call. Can the Kiwis make the most of the extra ball?

Way too short, pitching almost halfway, down leg. Tim Seifert misses the pull shot, as the ball goes over his head and keeps flying. Ishan leaps but the ball bursts through his gloves and rolls behind. They cross for a couple. Three wides.

Hard length, on the pads. Finn Allen gets squared up and tucks it to the mid on region for a quick run.

FOUR! Timed to perfection! Outside leg, on a fractionally fuller length. Tries to angle it away from the batter, but it remains straight. Allen flicks it behind square and the quick outfield means, the ball beats the sprinting deep mid-wicket fielder to his right for a boundary.

FOUR! That's some way to get the first runs in the series! Much fuller, swinging back in on leg. Finn Allen plays with a straight bat and hits it off the sweet spot. Drives it down the ground for a boundary.

On a back of a length, outside leg, at 132.8 kph, Tim lets the ball curve back and nudges it past square leg for a single to get off the mark.

EDGED, FOUR! Streaky, but they will take it. Swings away from middle, on a good length. Tim Seifert brings the bat at an angle to block, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball shoots exactly between the backward point and short third fielders for a boundary.

SIX! BRUTE FORCE! Takes pace off, does Kyle. Short and outside off. Shivam Dube stands tall, lets the ball arrive and slams the ball powerfully over the long on fence for half a dozen to finish things off in style. 21 runs from the final over. INDIA FINISH ON 271/5!

NO BALL! For height! The over just doesn't seem to end. A chest height full toss, on off. Rinku swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Free Hit coming up...

WIDE! Oh dear me! That has slipped out of his hands. A pace-off short ball, outside leg, flying over the batter. Rinku gets inside the line and lets it be.

At 107.8 kph, this is bashed on a length, on off, Singh bunts it back to the bowler.

Big swing and a miss! At just 107.1 kph, Kyle pushes it wide outside off, on a fuller length. Rinku swings with all his might, but gets no connection whatsoever.

A slower length ball, angled outside off, Shivam Dube swings to pull, but gets it off the toe end toward the off side for a single.

Shivam Dube comes out to the middle now for the last few balls of the innings.

OUT! TOP EDGE, GONE! Jamieson digs in a short ball, and takes pace off as this is the off cutter on top of middle that climbs on the batter. Hardik Pandya swings early to pull, one hand comes off the handle and he top edges it in the air. The ball spoons up and goes down the throat of Bevon Jacobs, stationed at the deep mid-wicket region. Settles under it and takes it calmly. Hardik Pandya falls after an entertaining 42 off just 17 balls. India are 261/5.

SIX! TOP SHOT! An in-dipping full toss, on the pads. Hardik Pandya picks it up, throws everything left in the tank and heaves it aerially, clearing deep mid-wicket fence for a huge six.

FIVE WIDES! Dear me! That has gone horribly wrong for Kyle. Misfires a full ball, but way, way down leg. Hardik lets it pass and the ball beats the keeper's dive to his left before squirreling away to the ropes.

Kyle Jamieson to bowl the last over. He has conceded 38 runs in his first 3 overs. Where will India finish? Let's see.

Comes from around the stump. Bowls it on a length, pitching outside leg. Hardik plays with a straight bat and eases it to widish mid off for a single. 14 runs off the penultimate over. 250 UP FOR INDIA!

SIX! Hardik moves to 35 (14). Short, into the pitch, on top of off. Sets up nicely for the batter. Hardik creates a strong base for himself and bludgeons it over deep mid-wicket for a flat six.

Slower one, short and outside off, Rinku gets on the toes and uppercuts it to deep backward point for a single.

FOUR! MUSCLED! Around off, a juicy half volley, Rinku Singh goes inside out and smashes it over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary!

Slips in a full toss, on off, drilled away to long on for a single.

On a back of a length, outside off, Rinku Singh tries to cut, but chops it off the inside edge to the off side, for a single.

Lockie Ferguson (3-0-27-2) to bowl the penultimate over.

A touch short, outside off, Hardik stands tall and slaps it to deep backward point for a couple more.

Back of a length, outside off, Rinku Singh chops it to the short third region for a single.

A wide yorker, outside off, slower one by the looks of it. Rinku swings and misses.

The Ishan Kishan show is over in Thiruavanthapuram. No respite for New Zealand as Rinku Singh walks out to bat now.

OUT! GONE! Finally, New Zealand get rid of Ishan Kishan. At 122.8 kph, it is short and slower, angled away outside off. Kishan rocks onto the back foot and sets up for the pull, swivelling across the line but only manages a top edge. It goes high but not far enough, and Phillips at deep mid-wicket, this time, ensures that it doesn't slip away and takes a comfortable catch. 103 off just 43 for Ishan Kishan as he trudges off to the dugout and is received by a huge applause from his teammates and the crowd.

A full toss, on leg, whipped away to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! 20th six of the innings! A slower slot ball from Duffy, on off, Hardik Pandya uses the bottom hand and spanks it gun-barrel down the ground for a cracking six.

SIX! MAIDEN T20I CENTURY FOR ISHAN KISHAN! 10 sixes and 6 fours. 84 runs just from boundaries. A half-volley outside the off stump. Kishan gets down on one knee and muscles a slog sweep that sails comfortably over deep mid-wicket for a massive six. Lets out a huge roar in celebration as Hardik runs towards him and gives a warm hug. The crowd has gone wild in Thiruvananthapuram as they admire this elite batting exhibition from Ishan Kishan.

SIX! Geez, that's innovative! Santner pushes it wide outside off, on a shorter length. Ishan Kishan shuffles a long way outside off and pulls it across in the air. Clears deep mid-wicket fence for a cracking six. Ishan moves to 97 off just 41 balls.

Serves it full, on middle, Pandya mistimes his sweep shot, hits it more off the inner half to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Flatter ball, outside off. Hardik Pandya doesn't go inside out, but gets on his knee and swats it flatly over the bowler's head for a boundary, beating long on to his left.

Around off, on a length, Hardik Pandya slices it like a knife and hits it to deep extra cover for a couple of runs.

SIX! Unbelievably brilliant shot! Short, outside off. Hardik Pandya presses back and swings it through the line, over deep extra cover for a six.

Deceived completely. Slower bumper, outside off, Ishan swings the bat for a pull in January, but the ball arrives in December and beats him all ends up.

Short of a length, outside off, Pandya smashes it like a tennis forehand to long off for a single.

WIDE! Far outside off, on a shorter length. Goes above the head height and is deemed a wide.

Short and outside off, Ishan pulls it flatly on the bounce to Phillips to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DROPPED, SIX! Wait. What? Glenn Phillips? That doesn't happen very often. He has dropped an absolute dolly. It is a full toss on the off stump line. Kishan strides forward and swings hard across the line, losing his bottom hand in the process. Glenn Phillips at deep square sets himself under it but takes his eyes off at the crucial moment and ends up parrying the ball over the boundary for half a dozen. Maybe, just maybe, he was put off by the floodlights.

WIDE! Miles outside off, beyond the tramline. Ignored by Kishan. Wided.

Shoots up from a length on leg, Pandya fends it down through mid-wicket for a single.

Excellent effort from Allen, saves a certain boundary. Fullish ball, on off, Hardik Pandya spanks it over the wingspan of Kyle Jamieson and the ball is on course for a boundary, but Finn Allen slides across to his right from long on and palms the ball back in the playing area. The replay confirms the same. Two taken.

Last 5 overs coming up. How much can New Zealand limit India to? Kyle Jamieson (2-0-25-0) returns, replacing Jacob Duffy.

Dragged back and on middle, Hardik Pandya pats it to long on for one more.

Short and around off, Ishan Kishan slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Floated, full and on leg, Hardik Pandya turns it to the leg side for a run.

Hardik Pandya is in at number 5, following a mammoth 137-run partnership between SKY and Kishan.

OUT! STUMPED! Mitchell Santner finally gets the breakthrough for New Zealand. He bowls this slower through the air, full and just outside off, keeping it out of the reach of the batter. Suryakumar Yadav tries to repeat the dose by coming down the track, but this gets beaten by the flight and turn on the ball. Tim Seifert, the keeper, collects it and breaks the stumps with SKY well out of his crease. He departs for an entertaining 63 off 30, and gets a big applause from the crowd on his way back. India are 185/3.

SIX! Shot of the match so far! Tossed up, full and around middle. Suryakumar Yadav skips down the track, does not get to the pitch of it but hits it through the line. He presents the full face of the bat, holds his shape and lofts it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Floated, short and around off, Ishan Kishan punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

This is looking ominous for New Zealand now. India have smashed 96 runs in the last 5 overs. Mitchell Santner (2-0-25-0) is back on.

SIX! SKY is just dealing in sixes now! Fuller delivery and angling into the pads. Suryakumar Yadav picks it up and whips it away over the deep backward square leg fence for the third six of the over.

A bouncer, on off, Suryakumar Yadav tries to upper cut but misses.

SIX! FIFTY FOR SKY! Another fantastic knock from the Indian captain, and this is a great sign for the hosts before the World Cup to get him back in form. This is a full toss around off. Suryakumar Yadav is not going to miss out on that and smacks it over the long on fence for half a dozen more. He raises his bat to soak in all the applause.

SIX! Outta here! Tries the back-of-the-hand slower one, but misses his length and serves this in the slot, on off. Suryakumar Yadav clears his front leg away and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie.

A good yorker now, on off, Suryakumar Yadav jams it out to extra cover. A rare dot ball.

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller delivery, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav gets under it and lofts it nicely over mid on to collect another boundary to his name.

WIDE! Back of a length and outside off, slower too, Suryakumar Yadav slashes at it to reach out but misses. Called a wide.

Jacob Duffy (2-0-20-0) is back on, replacing Ish Sodhi. Also, Suryakumar Yadav has completed 3000 T20I runs. He becomes the quickest in the world to reach this feat in terms of balls faced.

Pitched up and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav flicks it o deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Gets it away! Another full toss, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav throws his hands at it. Gets an outside edge that races to the third man fence for four more runs.

Oh..no! Lockie Ferguson completely loses the grip of the ball and bowls a head-high full toss, on off. Suryakumar Yadav manages to get out of the way and is floored. Has a cheeky smile on his face while Lockie apologises too. It is called a No Ball, and a Free Hit to follow now.

Short of a length and around middle, takes pace off, Suryakumar Yadav goes down across to scoop but misses due to the lack of pace.

Outside off, on a length, Ishan comes down the track and slashes it like a knife to long off for a single.

SIX! Top shot! Fuller delivery and around off, pace on this time. Ishan Kishan gets his hands through the shot and dispatches it over deep extra cover for another biggie. The 100-run partnership comes up between these two!

In the blockhole, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

20, 10, 29. The last three overs for India. You have got to feel for the bowlers. At the pitch report, it was mentioned that it's a tacky surface for batting, but it is the bowling which is looking a bit tacky here.

SIX! Oh, wow! 29 runs off the over.  Flighted, full and aound off. Ishan Kishan comes down the track again. He has to reach out but manages to do so and drags his slog over the wide long on fence for half a dozen. The night cannot end early for Sodhi.

FOUR! This is just incredible batting! Quicker, shortish and around middle. Ishan Kishan changes his stance early to get into position and executes the reverse sweep over point for a boundary.

SIX! Nothing streaky about this one! Tossed up, full and on middle, Ishan Kishan skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie. 19 runs off the over already with 2 balls still to go.

FOUR! Streaky again, but they all count! Ish Sodhi sees the batter advance and drags his length back and around off. Ishan Kishan gets beaten by the length and just swings his bat at it. Gets it off the bottom edge that goes between the legs of the keeper and rolls to the fence behind for the third boundary of the over.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flatter, shortish and around middle, Ishan Kishan has a big heave across the line. Gets it off the inside half of the bat but the ball goes into the gap towards the deep square leg fence for another boundary.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR KISHAN! Off just 28 balls. His red-hot form continues in the series, and he is making a serious case to be in the World Cup XI. This is his 8th T20I half-century. A full toss, outside off, begging to be put away. Ishan Kishan reaches out and smashes it over extra cover for a boundary.

WIDE! Flatter, full but way outside off, Ishan Kishan leaves it alone. Called a wide.

A full toss, on leg, Ishan Kishan cannot get it away and heaves it to deep square leg for just one.

SIX! There is no stopping that one! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Ishan Kishan picks up the length early,, swivels and hammers his pull way over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Superb effort in the deep! Hard length and on middle, slower again. Suryakumar Yadav gets inside the line of it to whip it away but gets a bit of a top edge. It flies towards deep square leg, where Lockie Ferguson settles near the ropes, but realizes that the ball is going over. As soon as he grabs it, he flicks the ball back inside before touching the ropes. The umpires want to check and the replay shows that it is a clean effort. He saves 5 runs for his team, as the batters only took a single.

Fuller and on leg, Ishan Kishan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Nicely bowled! Lands this on a good length and on off, this is the off-cutter. It grips into the surface and takes off too. Ishan Kishan tries to play it from the crease but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off, Suryakumar Yadav pats it towards mid on for a single.

DRINKS! 33 runs in the last 2 overs, and India have gone past 100 at the halfway mark. At the current rate and with the firepower left, they will be eying something around 200-220. Ishan Kishan has once again got a quick start, while SKY is playing his role well too. New Zealand will be hoping that this break halts the batter's momentum a bit, and they can get a few cheap overs and pick up a couple of wickets to get back in the contest. Kyle Jamieson to bowl after the break.

Quicker and flatter, short and outside off. Ishan Kishan hangs back and knocks it to the right of long off. Daryl Mitchell sprints across and dives to save two runs for his side. A very expensive over as 20 runs come off it.

SIX! WALLOP! A slot ball from Santner, around leg, Kishan plants his back knee into the pitch and slogs it high and handsome over deep square leg for a massive six. Moves to 37 (22), does Ishan. This brings up the 50-run partnership between these two. 100 up for India!

FOUR! Dismissed out of his presence! Santner spots Ishan dancing down the track and cunningly throws it wide outside off on a fuller length. Kishan throws his bat at it and manages to loft it over the leaping cover fielder for four more.

On a length, slowish through the air, on off. Yadav stands tall and punches it wide of mid off for a single.

SIX! Clears the ropes! Santner serves it full and on middle and leg. Suryakumar Yadav shimmies down the track and tonks it straight down the ground for a 76-meter six.

Continues from around the stump. This is short, outside off, Ishan shuffles outside off and drags it wide of long on for a single. Allen covers good groud to his left and cuts it off.

FOUR! Placed to perfection! Slips in a length ball, on the leg stump line, Suryakumar Yadav gets into a good position and pulls it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary! 13 runs from the over.

Just short! Too full, outside off, Kishan drills it uppishly, but hits it flatly, which probably saved him from sailing straight into the hands of the fielder there. It goes on the bounce to Allen at long off. One taken.

Dropped full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav gets across and chips it over the bowler and they cross.

A leg break, short and outside off, Suryakumar Yadav covers the line and eases it to the point fielder.

'Round the stumps now, bowls the off spinner, on a fuller length, outside off, Ishan throws his bat at it and drives it to deep extra cover for a run.

SIX! That was six the moment it left the bat. A genuine half volley, around off, Ishan sits down on a knee and powerfully slogs it cleanly behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

Change? Yes, Ish Sodhi replaces Glenn Phillips.

Drag-downer, wide outside off, Kishan slaps it hard to long off for another solo. A tidy start from Santner. Just 5 runs off it.

An in-drifter on a length, at the pads. Yadav goes deep in the crease and steers it to deep square leg for an easy single.

Drags the length back and keeps it outside off, Kishan rocks back and pulls it down to long on for a single.

At 90.5 kph, full and around off, SKY drives it along the ground to deep cover for a single.

Short, outside off, Kishan hangs back and cuts it through backward point for a single.

Around off, on a length, Kishan tucks it back to the bowler.

SIX! Into the orbit! A loosener from Phillips, full and on middle. Suryakumar Yadav picks the length in a trice and slogs it massively behind deep mid-wicket for an enormous six.

Serves it far outside off, on a fullish length, Yadav looks to lift it inside out, but does not get under it. Chalks off the toe end to the right of cover. Santner flings himself to his right and stops it one-handed.

Not too full, not that short either. On off, and Kishan tucks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for another run.

Full from around the stump. On middle. SKY tries the slog sweep, but plays it a bit early and the ball spoons off the bottom end through mid on for a single.

Fractionally short, on off, Kishan nudges it past mid-wicket for a run.

An off break, full and on off, Suryakumar Yadav gets forward and chips it over the non-striker. Phillips politely shouts 'Catch it, sir', but the ball lands safely and rolls towards long on for a single.

We have seen a tight battle between bat and ball in the Powerplay. 3 overs that went above 10 runs, 3 overs in single digits. India have scored over 50, but the Kiwis will be delighted to get rid of the openers. Now, the team that controls the middle phase will be in a better position in this game. Also, Glenn Phillips comes into bowl now.

A touch short, outside off, Ishan stands tall and slaps it to cover. India end their Powerplay with 54/2 on the board.

A bit wider, full and outside off, Yadav leans on and drives it to the left of mid off and rushes through for a single. Santner collects the ball and throws it with his dominant left hand to the bowling end, but misses his shy, allowing SKY to scoot inside the crease.

FOUR! Glorious stroke! Ish overpitches it, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav plants the front foot forward and crisply drives it inside out through the extra cover gap for a boundary. 50 up for India!

Full and around off, Yadav plays with the spin and drives this leg break to extra cover.

Dishes out a googly, on a length, Suryakumar Yadav works it to cover.

Slides it on off, on a fuller length, Ishan slogs it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket's left for a single.

Both the Indian openers are gone now, inside the Powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav walks in at number 4. Ish Sodhi has been introduced into the attack now, replacing Jacob Duffy.

OUT! CASTLED! Lockie Ferguson strikes again. He bowls this at 145.3 clicks, fuller and on middle and leg. Abhishek Sharma gives himself some room and tries to go over the in-field on the off side but gets beaten by the pace on this ball as this is the fastest of the over. It skids through and crashes onto the middle and leg stumps. Lockie is absolutely delighted, and Sharma has to walk back for a quickfire 30 off 16.

Back of a length and around off, angling away, Abhishek Sharma backs away to go over covers but misses.

Hard length and on middle and off, at 144.8 clicks, Ishan Kishan gets a bit hurried on his flick and it goes off the outer half of the bat through point. The cross.

SIX! Much more in control this time! Pitched up and outside off, pace on this time. Ishan Kishan extends his arms and gently drives it. He times it so well that it goes all the way over deep extra cover for half a dozen.

FOUR! Up and over! A slower delivery, full and well outside off. Ishan Kishan does very well to reach out for it. Not only that, he gets enough power to lift it over mid off. Almost goes all the way but just bounces before for a boundary.

Fuller and on leg, at 143.8 clicks, Ishan Kishan tries to swipe it away but gets beaten due to the pace and the ball hits his pads.

FOUR! That spoils the over a bit! Good length and around off, pace off again. Abhishek Sharma uses the long handles to reach out for it and thumps it over mid off for a boundary. A couple of quiet overs from the Kiwis.

Nicely bowled! An off-cutter, banged into the pitch and around off. Abhishek Sharma gets deceived as he sways away. He decides late to attempt the upper cut but misses.

Pitched up and on leg, takes pace off, Ishan Kishan clips it to short fine for a run.

A slower one, hard length and around leg. Ishan Kishan goes down for a scoop but miscues it off the toe-end of the bat towards short fine.

Touch fuller and on middle, Ishan Kishan blocks it down the pitch.

Back of a length and around off, Abhishek Sharma dabs it towards backward point for a quick single.

Low full toss, on leg, Ishan Kishan tucks it to mid-wicket.

The fans are shellshocked in the Greenfield Stadium. Samson's disappointing series ends with another low score. But how about that for a comeback in the side for Lockie Ferguson? First wicket in the first over. Ishan Kishan is in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Lockie Ferguson draws first blood! It is absolute silence here in Greenfield Stadium, as their local boy walks back cheaply. This is fuller and around off, at 145.8 kph, with not much movement. Sanju Samson takes a step back in the crease and has a wild hoick across the line, but only manages to get a fat leading edge. It flies towards deep third, where Bevon Jacobs moves to his left, gets low, and takes a good catch near his knees. Change of bats does not change the fortunes for Samson, as he goes back for 6 (6). India are 31/1.

It is a black soil pitch, with 60 percent of clay content, informs Deep Dasgupta on air.

A wide yorker, outside off, Abhishek Sharma opens the face of his bat and squeezes it out through backward point for one.

Sharp bowling! Lockie Ferguson sees the batter back away and follows him, bangs this into the pitch, on leg, gets some extra bounce off the deck. Abhishek Sharma gets cramped up for room and just tries to have a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hard length and on off, jags back in again. Sanju Samson stays back and tries to punch it away but gets an inside edge towards deep square leg for a single.

Change of bat for Samson. Ravi Bishnoi rushes out from the dugout with a couple of options. Sanju selects one. Good to resume.

Back of a length and on off, nips back in, Sanju Samson gets a but hurried by it and stabs it out to short cover.

Will Duffy continue from this end? He won't. Bowler number 3 in the third over for New Zealand. Here's Lockie Ferguson replacing Duffy.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Kyle Jamieson goes fuller but serves this right in the slot, on middle and leg. Abhishek Sharma brings his wrists into play and just whips it nonchalantly over the long on fence for another biggie. India are off to a flier here, yet again.

Hits the length hard and on the sixth stump line, keeps rising after hitting the deck. Abhishek Sharma looks to guide it away but gets beaten on the outside edge due to the extra bounce.

FOUR! That sounded sweet! Kyle Jamieson lands this short of a length and on off. Abhishek Sharma gets on top of the bounce and punches it with sweet timing through covers for a boundary. He moves to 18 off just 7 balls.

Back of a length and around off, Sanju Samson runs it down to deep third for a single.

EDGED AND FOUR! Sanju Samson gets the luck of his hometown! This is full again and on off, shaping away. Samson looks to work it across the line but closes the bat face early. It takes the leading edge and flies through the vacant second slip region for a boundary.

Kyle Jamieson begins with a fuller one and on off, Sanju Samson strides out and drives it to short cover.

Action-packed first over. Dare we say, on the expected lines. Kyle Jamieson will operate from the opposite end. Under pressure, Sanju on strike.

FOUR! There he goes again! Fuller delivery, outside off, keeping it away from the batter. Abhishek Sharma skips down the track and reaches out for it. He slices it off the outer half of the bat but gets it over extra cover as the ball trickles to the fence for four more runs. 14 runs off the first over!

FOUR! Clever shot! Jacob Duffy bangs this one into the pitch, on middle, gets some extra bounce as well. Abhishek Sharma lets it come to him. He watches the ball onto his bat and just opens the face to uppercut it towards the third man fence for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, attacking the stumps, Abhishek Sharma gets behind the line of it and blocks it down the pitch.

Three balls. That is all this new ball has survived, as it has gone out of shape. Probably landed on the concrete in the stands. The fourth umpire is out with a briefcase of replacement balls. The on-field umpires pick another one, and we are good to resume.

SIX! BANG! Makes it look easy. Jacob Duffy bowls the slower one early, goes fuller and around off. Abhishek Sharma picks it up. Extends his arms to get under it and carves it over the deep extra cover fence for the first biggie of the game. India get going.

Back of a length and around off, Abhishek Sharma steers it towards point. Hmm... watchful from Abhishek!

A rare dot on the first ball of this series! Jacob Duffy starts with a good-length delivery, outside off, angling further away. Abhishek Sharma throws his hands at it but cannot quite reach it.

All set for the fifth and final T20I to get underway in the beautiful city of Thiruvananthapuram. The Kiwi players spread out to take their respective positions. Out walk the two Indian openers - Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. No doubt there is a lot of support for the local boy, Samson. Jacob Duffy has the new ball and is raring to go. Okay, anything could happen on the first ball, as Abhishek is set to take the strike. It has been all or nothing for him this series. Will Duffy get movement? Let's see. Surprisingly, no slip in place. Here we go!

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen (In for Devon Conway), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs (In for Mark Chapman), Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson (In for Zakary Foulkes), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson (In for Matt Henry), Jacob Duffy.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK) (In for Harshit Rana), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (In for Kuldeep Yadav), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy (In for Ravi Bishnoi), Jasprit Bumrah.

The skipper of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner says that there is a bit more wind on this ground. Adds that it is another opportunity for them to bowl first and execute their plans. Highlights that they have batted first in the last three games, so, it is different this time around. Informs that they have made four changes to the team. Finn Allen comes in for Conway, Bevon Jacobs is in for Chapman. Kyle Jamieson is also playing and Lockie Ferguson replaces Matt Henry. Says that it is just precautionary for Henry and they want to rotate as well. Tells that Jacobs getting a game is a good thing for them. Ends by saying that it is good to have big players back and everyone knows what Lockie can produce.

The captain of India - Suryakumar Yadav, on the reason to bat first, he mentions that they were here last night and shares that there was a lot of dew. Also adds that they want to test themselves while defending the total. Shares that the groundsmen said it is going to be true for 40 overs. On the team combination and changes, SKY informs that Axar Patel is back and Ishan Kishan also makes it to the XI, but struggles to remember the third change. He is quick to mention that the local boy, Sanju Samson is playing, which is met with a huge roar from the crowd. About Tilak's fitness, SKY says they are waiting for him to get completely fit before the World Cup and also mentions that he is playing a few practice games as well. Further adds that they have almost covered all the departments and have learnt something from every game to take it forward.

TOSS - The two captains are out in the middle now. SKY gives the coin a flip and Mitchell Santner calls 'Tails.' It comes down as 'Heads' and India elect to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta and Simon Doull are inspecting the conditions in Thiruvananthapuram. Deep starts by saying that the conditions are nice and pleasant, though there is a fair bit of humidity around. He adds that this venue has the smallest ground dimensions in the series, with the square boundaries measuring 63 metres on either side and the straight boundary is 74 metres. Simon Doull then joins the discussion and agrees that the small ground size points towards a high-scoring contest. However, he notes that the surface looks slightly tacky, with a bit of moisture underneath, which could allow the ball to hold in the pitch and offer some assistance to the bowlers. Because of that tackiness, Doull feels it may not turn into a 200-plus kind of game despite the short boundaries. He also mentions that the groundsmen have indicated there has not been much dew around, even though dew had played a significant role in the previous games in the series. Doull stresses that if the bowlers hit the right lengths, there should be just enough in the surface for them to work with. Deep underlines that the bowlers could get extra help because the ground is quite open, allowing the wind to blow through the stands. This, he says, can aid the seamers with a bit of lateral movement early on. In conclusion, both agree that scores should be on the higher side overall and that batting conditions are likely to improve as the match progresses.

Kiwis keen to make it two on the bounce - New Zealand come into this finale on the back of that emphatic fourth-game victory, where Tim Seifert and Devon Conway laid the platform and their bowlers backed it up, proving they can unsettle India when everything clicks. While they’ve struggled to string consistent wins together in India, their ability to bounce back and produce that kind of performance shows the resilience in the Black Caps camp, and they’ll be hungry to end the series on a high. The addition of Finn Allen also makes them stronger, who had a stellar BBL, hitting 38 sixes, most in a single season. With players like Daryl Mitchell and the Kiwi bowling group capable of turning the tide on their day, this last match is a chance for New Zealand to build belief and carry momentum straight into the global event. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

India’s final audition before the big stage - India's campaign so far has showcased immense hitting depth, led by Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan's brutal stroke play and Suryakumar Yadav's return to form, with Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh adding power through the middle order. Dominant wins in Nagpur, Raipur and Guwahati showed how ruthless this top order can be, but the shock loss in Vizag exposed a few areas they will be keen to tidy up, with the bowling unit also looking to rediscover the control and wicket-taking threat it showed earlier in the series. Beyond the series result, this game also serves as a key audition for players like Sanju Samson and Kishan, with every run and every over carrying weight for World Cup selection and team confidence.

Pride and Momentum at stake - Heading into the fifth and final T20I at Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, India and New Zealand wrap up a five-match series that has swung back and forth, offering one last chance for players to stamp their claims ahead of the T20 World Cup. Welcome to a night where form, confidence and opportunity collide, with India already holding a 3-1 series lead but New Zealand coming in buoyed by their commanding 50-run win in Vizag. With selection debates heating up and momentum up for grabs, this final contest is about more than just the scoreline, about who carries belief and rhythm into the bigger battles to come.

... MATCH DAY ...

One last stop before the big dance - New Zealand’s white-ball tour of India has traced a near-complete map of the country, moving from east to north, then west, and now finally settling in the south. The road ends in Thiruvananthapuram, or Trivandrum, where the fifth and final T20I waits by the coast. India may already have the series in the bag, but this game is far from a dead rubber. The Blackcaps snapped their losing streak in Vizag, dodged the whitewash, and now have a chance to walk away with a respectable 3-2 scoreline. This match also serves as the final dress rehearsal for both sides before the T20 World Cup 2026, now barely a week away. There is no room left for experiments that do not matter. For India, it is about fine-tuning combinations and rhythms and getting back to winning ways. For New Zealand, it is about carrying momentum into the tournament and proving that Vizag was not a one-off spark, but the beginning of their domination.  Experimentation backfired? ‘I feel we purposely played six batters today. We wanted to have five perfect bowlers and wanted to challenge ourselves.’ Words from Suryakumar Yadav at the post-match presentation after getting defeated in Vizag’s batting paradise. With Ishan Kishan unavailable due to injury, India went in with an extra bowler, aiming for five full bowling options and a self-imposed challenge. On paper, it sounded bold. On the field, it unraveled quickly. India ended up conceding over 200 runs, with almost every bowler finding the fence far too often. The batting collapse only deepened the problem. The top order failed to provide a base, leaving the middle order under immense pressure, already operating one batter short. More than the loss itself, the game highlighted issues India need to address fast, with no time left to hide them. Samson’s place in jeopardy? It was a rare blip for Abhishek Sharma, who got out on a golden duck, but a golden opportunity was fluffed by Sanju Samson as the opener. He got the start, but yet again, couldn’t build on it. With just one half-century in his last ten innings and only 40 runs from four matches in this series, the returns have fallen well short of expectations. And with Ishan Kishan breathing down his neck for a spot as the opener, Samson walks into the final T20I, if picked, under serious pressure to finally deliver. India’s firepower backed by Dube’s brute force - ‘Spin basher’. In this Indian setup, the tag belongs squarely to Shivam Dube. With India effectively down and out in Vizag, he was the one who pushed back, tearing into the attack with a stunning 15-ball half-century. The innings didn’t change the result, but it changed the mood, lifting him to third on India’s list of fastest T20I fifties, behind only Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Sharma, who reached the mark earlier in this very series. With Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek and Hardik, and to an extent, Rinku, all in fine nick, the batting looks sorted and settled. But on off days, like the previous T20I, who will be India’s rescuer is the biggest question. New Zealand’s balance finally clicks - The fourth T20I finally showed New Zealand at full tilt and brought plenty of encouragement. Tim Seifert’s half-century set the tone, Devon Conway shook off a lean patch, and the middle order chipped in when it mattered. Glenn Phillips has been the standout, not only being a bulletproof at backward point, but also brutal hitting after a century in the ODIs and a 50 in the series opener, he’s emerged as New Zealand’s top scorer. With Daryl Mitchell being the constant run machine and Mitchell Santner providing late-order firepower, the Blackcaps have repeatedly pushed themselves to competitive totals. The Rachin Ravindra conundrum - There’s no cent of doubt about Rachin’s talent, but his T20I numbers speak otherwise, unfortunately. Sitting at exactly 600 runs in 42 matches, the average of 19.35, that too, at an important batting position of number 3, doesn’t compliment his strength and promise at all. His last ten innings underline the inconsistency. A highest score of just 44 and four single-digit scores, leaving fans and selectors alike waiting for him to fully translate promise into performance with the others waiting in the wings as well. Reinforcements boost Blackcaps’ firepower - James Neesham and ace pacer Lockie Ferguson had joined the squad before the fourth T20I, though Neesham was sidelined by a stomach bug and Ferguson was still nursing a calf injury. The Blackcaps, already World Cup-bound, get a fresh shot in the arm with Finn Allen coming in for the final T20I. The explosive opener was the leading run-scorer in Perth Scorchers’ title-winning campaign and will be eager to carry that form into this series and beyond, adding serious firepower to New Zealand’s batting lineup ahead of the big tournament. Bowling under siege - Except for the Guwahati T20I, this series has been a slog for bowlers from both sides, with 200-plus totals becoming almost routine. The Powerplay has been particularly brutal, with most going for 9 or 10 an over and few making a real dent. For India, only Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav have held their own, while for New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and Jacob Duffy have been the exceptions. Further dissecting the numbers shows that amidst the carnage, Jasprit Bumrah has been frugal as usual with an economy of just 7.63, and the same has been true to an extent for Jacob Duffy. What to expect in Trivandrum? It is only after November 2023 that men’s T20I cricket will return to Greenfield Stadium. In the recent WT20I series between India and Sri Lanka in December 2025, the average first-innings score hovered around 165-170, suggesting another high-scoring affair. Interestingly, of the four men’s T20Is held at this venue so far, results are evenly split with two wins for teams batting first and two for those chasing. India have won three of those four, including a rain-shortened clash against New Zealand back in 2017. The average first innings score at this stadium is 155, while the highest total was put up by India against Australia in 2023, when they scored 235 runs in 20 overs. So expect nothing short of a run fest. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - India - LWWWW | New Zealand - WLLLW. Possible changes for the 5th T20I - Varun Chakaravarthy, rested for the last two games, could return to the side, most likely replacing Ravi Bishnoi, who has made the most of his opportunities so far. Ishan Kishan is also expected back, but who makes way remains unclear. For New Zealand, Finn Allen’s arrival virtually guarantees him a spot in the XI, with either Mark Chapman or Rachin Ravindra likely to sit out. James Neesham could also be considered for inclusion. While Bracewell could be swapped in as well.