HIGHLIGHTS India vs New Zealand, New Zealand in India 5 T20I Series 2026, 5th T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The Indian players are in a huddle, and we can see that Ishan Kishan has the gloves and will be keeping in this game. Good for him to get some practice, if needed to be in the World Cup. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are the two openers for New Zealand. Arshdeep Singh to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

A Long Night for New Zealand - When you concede over 270 runs, there is very little to analyse. New Zealand stayed in the contest only until the end of the Powerplay, when Ferguson removed both openers, but from there it became completely one-sided. On his return, Ferguson was the lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable bowling effort. The pressure told in the field too, with even Glenn Phillips dropping Ishan Kishan. With the series already gone, the Kiwi batters now at least have the freedom to go out, play without fear, and see how close they can get.

A Batting Blitz Led by Kishan and SKY - Sanju Samson could not deliver in front of his home fans, leaving his place in the WC XI under a cloud, even though Abhishek Sharma did play a brisk cameo to provide yet another flying start. The real turning point, though, was the partnership between SKY and Ishan Kishan, which completely flipped the game on its head. They took a few balls to find their rhythm, but once they got going, there was no stopping them. Kishan showcased some breathtaking strokeplay on his way to a fantastic maiden T20I hundred, while SKY tore into the attack with 63 off just 30 balls, as the pair added 137 in double-quick time. Hardik Pandya then flexed his muscles with a fiery 42 off 17, underlining just how devastating this Indian batting unit can be when it all clicks together.

A Final-Day Firestorm from India-  India saved their most explosive performance for the last game. After winning the toss, SKY spoke about wanting to test themselves by batting first, and they could not have made a louder statement. What followed was a full-blown onslaught, as India piled up the highest total of the series by a distance, powered by a jaw-dropping 23 sixes that rained all around the ground. It also went down as the third-highest T20I score India have ever recorded, underlining just how brutal the assault was. For the Kiwi bowlers, it was one of those days they will want to quickly forget, as nothing they tried could stem the flow of runs once India found their rhythm.

Kyle Jamieson to Shivam Dube, 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!

Kyle Jamieson to Rinku Singh, 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...

Kyle Jamieson to Rinku Singh, 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.

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

Kyle Jamieson to Rinku Singh, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Shivam Dube, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Hardik Pandya, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Hardik Pandya, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Hardik Pandya, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Hardik Pandya, 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!

Lockie Ferguson to Hardik Pandya, 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.

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

Lockie Ferguson to Rinku Singh, 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!

Lockie Ferguson to Hardik Pandya, Slips in a full toss, on off, drilled away to long on for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Rinku Singh, 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.

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

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

Jacob Duffy to Rinku Singh, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Hardik Pandya, A full toss, on leg, whipped away to deep square leg for a single.

Jacob Duffy to Hardik Pandya, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Mitchell Santner to 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.

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

Mitchell Santner to Hardik Pandya, 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.

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

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

Kyle Jamieson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

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

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

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

Kyle Jamieson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Ishan Kishan, WIDE! Miles outside off, beyond the tramline. Ignored by Kishan. Wided.

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

Kyle Jamieson to Hardik Pandya, 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.

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

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

Mitchell Santner to Hardik Pandya, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Jacob Duffy to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Jacob Duffy to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Lockie Ferguson to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Lockie Ferguson to Ishan Kishan, 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!

Lockie Ferguson to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

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

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

Kyle Jamieson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Kyle Jamieson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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!

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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.

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

Mitchell Santner to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

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

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

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, '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.

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Mitchell Santner to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

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

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

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

Glenn Phillips to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Glenn Phillips to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Glenn Phillips to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Glenn Phillips to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

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

Ish Sodhi to Suryakumar Yadav, 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.

Ish Sodhi to Suryakumar Yadav, 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!

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

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

Ish Sodhi to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

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

Lockie Ferguson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

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

Jacob Duffy to Ishan Kishan, 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.

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

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

Lockie Ferguson to Ishan Kishan, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, 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.

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

Lockie Ferguson to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, 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.

Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

Kyle Jamieson to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

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

Kyle Jamieson to Sanju Samson, 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 to Sanju Samson, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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!

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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.

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

Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma, 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.