50-run win over India, a big win for New Zealand ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. India vs New Zealand The momentum they have gained by defeating the home side in the 4th T20I will need to carry over into the much-awaited tournament to become serious contenders for the title. Last night the visiting team won after losing three consecutive matches.
Three losses compared to just one win is something that the New Zealand cricket team did not expect, perhaps ahead of the 5-match T20 series. But this is the reality. And for them, the reality is not something very comforting, especially ahead of a tournament like the T20 World Cup 2026, which will begin on February 7 co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The Blackcaps must try to claim another win ahead of their World Cup campaign, which is only possible if they can beat India again. India and New Zealand will face each other for the final match of the competition on January 31. This defeat can also prove important from India’s point of view, because they will know in which areas more work is needed. Three consecutive wins may cause some fatigue in the team, which may lead to defeat in the India vs New Zealand 4th T20 match on January 28.
The second thing is that Team India should think about not trusting Abhishek Sharma completely. In the last game, Sharma failed to perform well and India fell behind their opponent.
India vs New Zealand 4th T20I Preview:
Date and Place:
The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will host the 5th T20 match of the series between India and New Zealand on Saturday, January 31.
India vs New Zealand Teams:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Jack Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi, Christian Clarke.
India vs New Zealand Probable XI:
In the IND vs NZ 5th T20I, both may have the same goal – victory and an injury-free team. Since this will be the last T20 match between these two teams, they will be thinking of nothing but winning. The victory just before the ICC T20 World Cup will help the players maintain their confidence. After weeks of hard work, New Zealand got their rhythm back; On the other hand, India, one of the hosts of the marquee tournament, will look to get another win to maintain their form.
Ishan Kishan’s exclusion in the last game was a surprise. The move makes sense as Arshdeep Singh has been included in the playing combination, having been left out during the last three matches. It will be interesting to see whether the team management keeps its lineup the same for the remaining matches of the bilateral series.
Since the start of the 5-match T20I series, the New Zealand team management has been showing its confidence in a particular group of players. Despite losing three consecutive matches, they kept their first XI, captained by Mitchell Santner, intact, and got their much-awaited result – a win – in the series ahead of the T20 World Cup. They can use all their cards to double their winnings in this series.
India’s playing XI: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand Playing XI: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy.
Major battles:
Abhishek Sharma vs Matt Henry:
As we have claimed before, Matt Henry can do wonders for the New Zealand cricket team. The fast bowler did what his team expected from him – early success. Last night, Abhishek Sharma had a very bad day and Henry did a good job. In the fifth match, both these cricketers will once again try to create a stir.
Shivam Dubey vs Ish Sodhi:
When the entire top order was faltering, Shivam Dubey came into the field with full force. Dubey’s batting from the lower order shows the batting depth of the Indian cricket team. As long as he was in the middle, Indian cricket fans were expecting another win. He will also try to do the same, but New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi will be present to stop him. Sodhi has been doing good work for the Kiwi team throughout the series.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Mitchell Santner:
This would be the best way to end the Captains Battle-series on a high note. Yadav played back-to-back match-winning innings for India against New Zealand, being dismissed cheaply in the fourth innings. The fifth match will be important for him to regain his momentum. And Santner, who was struggling with his form, finally got his mojo back by winning the last match, where he got 3 wickets.
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I Key Players:
India- Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dubey, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand – Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Glenn Phillips.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I – Free Live Streaming & Telecast Details:
TV broadcasting in India:
Star Sports Network will telecast the fifth T20 match between India and New Zealand across India.
Online Live Streaming in India:
Fans can watch the match live on JioHotstar app and website. Viewers will need an active subscription to access the stream.
Match date:
The fifth T20 match will be played on Saturday 31 January.
venue:
The fifth T20 match will be held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
How to watch IND vs NZ on television:
The live telecast of IND vs NZ 5th T20I will be available on Star Sports Network channels.
How to watch online on mobile and web:
Live streaming will be available through JioHotstar app and official website with valid subscription.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Weather Report – Thiruvananthapuram:
According to the weather forecast, Thiruvananthapuram is expected to have clear weather throughout the day on coming Saturday (January 31). There is no sign of rain or cloudy weather. The weather will remain the same during the match from 7 pm onwards – the sky will be clear, there will be no rain. The maximum temperature during the day time can be around 33 °C, and at night the temperature can drop to 22 °C.
India vs New Zealand Pitch Report at Greenfield International Stadium:
A high-scoring match is very possible on this ground, as India holds the record of scoring 235 runs against Australia on November 26, 2023 on this ground. The second highest score in this group was recorded by Australia, which was 191. While the lowest score at this ground in T20I was 106 runs by South Africa.
India vs New Zealand head-to-head records:
|
Social class |
matches played |
India won |
new zealand won |
Tied up |
no results |
W/L ratio (India) |
|
Overall India vs New Zealand (T20I) |
29 |
15 |
11 |
3 |
0 |
— |
|
India vs New Zealand in India (T20I) |
15 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
2.25 |
India vs New Zealand head-to-head records: key stats
As per the overall statistics, India’s numbers are better than the New Zealand cricket team. In 29 matches between these two teams, India managed to win 15 times, while New Zealand won 11 times, while 3 matches were tied.
After losing the fourth match of the series, Team India will play the fifth match. In the last match, New Zealand had won the match by 50 runs. Batting first, they scored 215/7 runs in 20 overs.
India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Records – Last 5 Matches Results:
|
date |
match |
winner |
Result |
|
28-January-26 |
india vs new zealand |
new zealand |
New Zealand won by 50 runs |
|
25-January-26 |
india vs new zealand |
India |
India won by 8 wickets (with 60 balls remaining) |
|
23-January-26 |
india vs new zealand |
India |
Win by 7 wickets (with 28 balls remaining) |
|
21-January-26 |
india vs new zealand |
India |
won by 48 runs |
|
01-February-23 |
india vs new zealand |
India |
won by 168 runs |
India vs New Zealand Match Prediction:
Before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, both the teams have used their full strength to win the match. Despite having already clinched the series by winning three consecutive matches, India are going all out to make the scoreline 4-1. Another win before the tournament will give additional oxygen to the team. India will have a better chance of victory in the fifth match.
India vs New Zealand—Conclusion:
Some high scoring matches took place on this ground. If India comes out to bat first then it will try to score a huge score. New Zealand’s batsmen will also try to do the same. Only the first innings of the match can decide the outcome of the match. Since there may be a reason in the second innings. If bowlers can perform at their best on a pitch with potential batting surface, it will help the teams in future also. Till now India seems to be far ahead of New Zealand in every aspect.
Read more: IND vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win the 5th T20I? New Zealand tour of India 2026