The five-match T20 series will now conclude in Thiruvananthapuram. India Wants to end up with high followers New Zealand’s strong comeback in Visakhapatnam. Despite India having a 3-1 lead, the final T20I remains an important opportunity for both sides to test their depth and resolve ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Greenfield International Stadium in Kerala will provide a different environment where humid conditions and seaside breeze significantly impact the game. Unlike the high-scoring tracks seen earlier in the series, the venue is renowned for having one of the more bowling-friendly surfaces in the country. The series has already been decided, Local Hero sanju samson He will be in the news when he returns to his home ground in search of a big performance. The ‘Men in Blue’ will be aiming for a 4-1 scoreline, while the Black Caps hope to carry the momentum of their 50-run win into this final encounter.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Probable Playing XI
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty.
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium is widely considered to be a balanced surface which is slightly tilted in favor of the bowlers. Traditionally, the track is not a typical ‘highway’ for batsmen, often offering enough grip and turn to keep the spinners interested in the middle overs. Initially, the moisture from the nearby coast and the fresh nature of the pitch may help the seamers find movement off the deck. However, as the game progresses, the surface becomes slower, making it harder for batsmen to cross the line and forcing them to rely on strike rotation.
One of the biggest factors at this venue is the high humidity followed by heavy evening dew. While the first innings can be difficult for the batsmen, the arrival of dew in the second innings often makes the ball slip on the bat, making chasing the target much easier. As a result, the captain who wins the toss is almost certain to opt to bowl first to take advantage of the easy batting conditions at night. Batsmen will need to be cautious initially, as the ball may stick to the surface, but once settled, they can take advantage of the skidding nature of the ball under lights.
Greenfield International Stadium statistics and records
- Total T20I matches: 7
- Matches won by batting first: 4
- Matches won by bowling first: 3
- Average score of first innings: 155
- Average score of second innings: 143
- Highest total recorded: India vs Australia 235/4
- Lowest total recorded:
- Highest score chased: West Indies vs India 173/2
- Defense of Minimum Score: India vs New Zealand 67/5
Also read: IND vs NZ: Sunil Gavaskar criticizes Sanju Samson after getting out in Vizag T20I