IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Ishan Kishan reborn as India wrap T20 WC prep with 4-1 series win

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: India conclude their T20 World Cup preparations with a thumping 46-run win over New Zealand to wrap the series 4-1. Ishan Kishan was the hero with the bat as he scored a 43-ball 103 to help India post a massive 271/5. Suryakumar Yadav (63 off 30) and Hardik Pandya (42 off 17) also contributed to the total.
New Zealand tried their best with Finn Allen leading the charge with a 38-ball 80. But with Axar Patel (3/33) chipping away with crucial wickets, New Zealand collapsed. In the end, Arshdeep Singh salvaged his pride with his maiden five-wicket haul in T20I after going for 51 runs as New Zealand were bowled out for 225 runs.

Match Details

Match: India vs New Zealand 5th T20I
Date: January 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00 PM IST (Toss at 6:30 PM IST)
Venue: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
India score: 271/5
New Zealand score: 225/10
Captains: Suryakumar Yadav (India), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

IND vs NZ Playing XIs

India Playing XI

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand Playing XI

Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

IND vs NZ Live Streaming Details

In India, the match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming is available on the JioHotstar app and website (subscription required).

This Live Blog has Ended

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: India win

31/01/2026 22:31

Rinku Singh gets a complimentary wicket as Ish Sodhi falls for a 15-ball 33. And with that, India wrap the series 4-1 with a 46-run win. Axar Patel bowled a brilliant spell as New Zealand lost the plot from 117/1 to 225 all out.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Rinku Singh gets to bowl last over

31/01/2026 22:28

It's all but over for New Zealand and the last over will be just a formality. So, Suryakumar Yadav has brought Rinku Singh to bowl the last ball.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: New Zealand 9 down

31/01/2026 22:18

Axar Patel bags his 3rd wicket as he cleans up Lockie Ferguson, who was trying to come down the track for a big shot.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Arshdeep Singh bags maiden fifer

31/01/2026 22:14

Arshdeep Singh went for plenty of runs in his first two overs but he has made an exceptional comeback. He removes Daryl Mitchell in a similar fashion to bag his maiden fifer in T20Is.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: 4-fer for Arshdeep

31/01/2026 22:14

Arshdeep Singh bags his 4th wicket as Kyle Jamieson gets an inside edge to his stumps. New Zealand 179/7 and it's now a formality for India.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Bevon Jacobs clueless

31/01/2026 22:05

Varun Chakaravarthy cleans up Bevon Jacobs. The Kiwi batter had no clue about the delivery as the googly shattered his stumps. New Zealand lose their 6th wicket for 166.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: 150-up for New Zealand

31/01/2026 22:01

4, 6, 6, 1, 4, 1
Daryl Mitchell hits Jasprit Bumrah for a four and two sixes to bring up 150 for New Zealand in the 14th over. Bumrah concedes 22 runs in the over for 0/45 in his three overs. This was Bumrah's most expensive over in his T20I career after 21 against England in 2021. New Zealand need 106 runs off the last 36 deliveries.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: New Zealand 5 down

31/01/2026 21:52

New Zealand are falling apart. They lose their 5th wicket as Mitchell Santner gives out a leading edge to Suryakumar Yadav as he failed judge an Arshdeep Singh bouncer.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Ravindra departs

31/01/2026 21:50

Another quick wicket for New Zealand as Rachin Ravindra departs for 30 off 17, failing to judge a knuckle ball by Arshdeep Singh. India have bounced back after Finn Allen storm. New Zealand 137/4.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Another wicket for Axar

31/01/2026 21:46

Axar Patel has delivered another wicket after removing Finn Allen. This time, it's Glenn Phillips who mishits for an easy catch to Rinku Singh. New Zealand lose their 3rd wicket for 131.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Halfway through in the chase

31/01/2026 21:42

New Zealand have managed 131/2 in the first 10 overs with 141 more need in the last 60 deliveries. Finn Allen's knock has given Kiwis the stage to push for a record chase. Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra are on the crease now.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Huge relief for India

31/01/2026 21:38

Axar Patel has broken the 100-run stand and it's Finn Allen who has to depart. He kept India on their toes with 38-ball 80 after Ishan Kishan missed a stumping chance. This time though, he wasn't that lucky. He tried to pull Axar but could not time it well and the ball was safely deposited into Rinku Singh's hands. New Zealand 117/2.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: New Zealand cross 100-run mark

31/01/2026 21:34

It's just 8 overs and New Zealand have already crossed the 100-run mark. Finn Allen is on the charge as he is smashing it nicely all over the park, against all the bowlers. New Zealand are following India's template.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: 50 for Allen

31/01/2026 21:22

Finn Allen smashes 22-ball fifty, fastest by a Kiwi batter against India in T20Is. New Zealand end the powerplay with 79/1, their best against India in T20Is.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Allen on the charge

31/01/2026 21:20

Finn Allen was the highest scorer of BBL, scoring 466 runs at a strike rate of 184.18. And in his first match of the series, he is already making it look easy. He moves to 46 off 20 balls.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Expensive from Arshdeep

31/01/2026 21:10

4, 4, 6, 4, 4
Arshdeep Singh salvaged his first over with a wicket after conceding 17 runs. Now, in the second over, he has no such luck. Finn Allen hammers him for 4, 4, 6, 4 and 4 for a 23-run over. Allen moves to 37 off just 14 balls.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Signs are clear for Samson!

31/01/2026 21:02

Team India have brought in Ishan Kishan to keep wickets, replacing Sanju Samson. And that would be a clear sign as to who will keep wickets for India in the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan is all set to be the opener after Sanju Samson's string of poor shows.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Seifert falls

31/01/2026 20:58

A wide delivery extended the first over and that ended in favour of Arshdeep Singh. Tim Seifert played a loose shot straight to Hardik Pandya at the mid-wicket. New Zealand are 17/1.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Good start for Kiwis

31/01/2026 20:58

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen hit Arshdeep Singh for three boundaries in the first over to take 17 runs out of it.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Seifert-Allen begin

31/01/2026 20:54

New Zealand have a mammoth chase in hand. Tim Seifert has a new opening partner in Finn Allen as Devon Conway was dropped. But with no dew in Thiruvananthapuram, the chase won't be easy.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: India 271/5

31/01/2026 20:40

Pandya plays a brilliant hand of 42 from 17. The bat twists in his hand and is caught in the deep. Good innings still. Dube finishes the innings with a six.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Ishan departs

31/01/2026 20:25

Ishan Kishan tries to pull Duffy and he is caught out in the deep. He is out for 103 from 43. He has made himself a must have in this T20I XI.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Pandya now

31/01/2026 20:23

Pandya is teeing off now. He is not sparing Mitchell Santner. This is an excellent innings for India. Another six and Ishan has moved to 97. Six to finish the over and 100 for Ishan in 42 deliveries.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: 50 for Surya

31/01/2026 20:08

Two consecutive sixes and Surya has hit yet another 50 in just 26 balls. Is India eyeing 300 here? Tuffy concedes third six of the over. And in the very next over, Surya is stumped for 63.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: NZ under pressure

31/01/2026 20:03

It is clear that NZ bowlers are nervous now. Surya has a free hit, gets a boundary through third man. 3000 runs for Surya in T20Is.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: 50 for Kishan

31/01/2026 19:57

Ishan Kishan rocks back in the crease and pull Ish Sodhi for a four. He gets to his miletsone in only 28 deliveries. And to talk about the over, Ishan has decimated the spinner. 28 runs from the over.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Pacers back

31/01/2026 19:53

Jamieson is back into the attack now. This is the stage where the Indians will look to up the ante.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: 100 up

31/01/2026 19:44

Surya gets a six, and then Ishan gets a four. Both these batters are targetting Santner now. Oh, and Ishan is not stopping as he gets second six of the over.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Kishan in sizzling form

31/01/2026 19:40

All eyes must be on Ishan Kishan now. He has already scored a 76 in the series. Let us see if he can surpass that score.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Santner now

31/01/2026 19:36

Third spinner comes on in three overs. Skipper Santner starts the over and he is the one who ca curtail overs.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Spin now

31/01/2026 19:30

The powerplay comes to an end. India have scored 54 here, and Kiwis are in attack mode. They have introduced Ish Sodhi here already.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Ishan's good form

31/01/2026 19:25

Ishan Kishan is just showing that how good form makes all the difference. He just clears his left leg and hits over covers for a six. What has Abhisek has done here. He dances down the track and misses the line of the ball. He is bowled for 30.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: What's wrong

31/01/2026 19:20

One just cannot gauge what is wrong with Sanju Samson.. Runs and confidence is just not there. Another over ends.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: OUT

31/01/2026 19:16

Sanju Samson has failed once more. And this time a leading edge goes straight to the boundary. He is out for 6 here. Ferguson has a wicket.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Abhishek looks dangerous

31/01/2026 19:09

Sanju gets a lucky four to start with but Abhishek gets the strike back. Another four from his bat. Over ends with another six.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: JAcob Duffy starts

31/01/2026 19:03

There we go. The match starts here as Abhishek Sharma takes strike against Duffy. Two dots and the third one sails over long off for a six. Follows it up with a four over third man. Make it another four to end the over.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Openers ready

31/01/2026 18:54

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson look all set here. India need a very quick start.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Big score

31/01/2026 18:45

This pitch is just the flattest pitch in the series and all eyes will be on the Indian openers. Abhishek Sharma had missed out in the last match.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Four changes for NZ

31/01/2026 18:39

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Three changes for India

31/01/2026 18:38

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: India to bat first

31/01/2026 18:33

Team India has won the toss and are batting first, on a wicket that is excellent for batting. Three changes, Axar and Ishan come back.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Sanju the main man

31/01/2026 18:25

Fans want to see Sanju Samson do well

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Ahead of the IND vs NZ 5th T20 match, a fan of the Indian Cricket Team says, "I am looking forward to Sanju coming back to form... India vs New Zealand matches are always a pleasure for the spectators... Sanju is playing in his home ground; he… pic.twitter.com/FW6LLefrYp
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2026

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Toss soon

31/01/2026 18:17

Surya would be hoping to bat first now. But then, all eyes will be on playing XI for now.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE

31/01/2026 18:05

All eyes on Sanju

Almost time for the 5️⃣th and final T20I 👊

📍 Thiruvananthapuram
⏰ 7:00 PM IST
💻 https://t.co/hIL8Vefajg
📱 Official BCCI App#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/AuvjqNxMJ7
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2026

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Can Sanju fire?

31/01/2026 17:57

India is showing tremendous confidence in Sanju Samson, but can the batter shine once in the series? T20 World Cup could be his last with Team India, if he does not bounce back.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Toss soon

31/01/2026 17:47

We are about 45 minutes away from the toss. And it seems, Surya, if he wins the toss, would be looking to bat first.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: Varun Chakravarthy in?

31/01/2026 17:42

India have saved Varun in this series. Perhaps they don't want other teams to read him here before the T20 World Cup. But he must get a match tonight.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: STAT ATTACK

31/01/2026 17:26

Trivandrum is a happy-hunting ground for the Indians, where in 4 matches they have secured 3 wins and lost only 1.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: 4-1 better than 3-2

31/01/2026 17:18

Barring that last match, India have been top notch in the series. At the end of the day, winning is what counts, and Suryakumar Yadav would want to end the series on a high.. with a win.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Chance to benched players?

31/01/2026 17:12

This will be the last match before the T20 World Cup for Team India. So will they look to play the benched players, or will they stick to the players who will be part of the playin Xi?

IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Preview: New Zealand

31/01/2026 16:44

New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, showed fight in the fourth T20I, posting a strong total and restricting India effectively. Players like Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra provide firepower, while their bowlers exploited conditions well. The pitch promises balance early seam assistance for pacers, grip for spinners later, and potential for high scores given the series trend.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Preview: India

31/01/2026 16:44

India, under Suryakumar Yadav, have dominated with explosive batting and sharp bowling, clinching the first three games convincingly before experimenting in the fourth and suffering a heavy 50-run defeat. This match offers a chance to rebound, test combinations, and build confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup. But all eyes will be on hometown hero Sanju Samson, who returns to his native Thiruvananthapuram for his first international here, eager to prove his form amid scrutiny. With scores of 10, 6, 0 and 24, Samson has failed to impress in this series, raising questions whether Ishan Kishan should replace him as an opener for T20 World Cup.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: India Squad

31/01/2026 16:42

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy

IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE: New Zealand Squad

31/01/2026 16:42

Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson

Cricket India vs New Zealand India Cricket New Zealand Cricket Mitchell Santner Sanju Samson Suryakumar Yadav