IND vs NZ 5th T20I Prediction, Playing XIs, and Dream11 Guide
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Prediction, Playing 11s & Dream11 Tips
The stage is set for a thrilling finale as IND vs NZ 5th T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The series has already been decided in India’s favor with a score of 3-1, and this match is a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Table of Contents:
Series Context: Momentum Shifts in the IND vs NZ T20I Battle
India had a strong lead in the series, but their winning streak was broken in Visakhapatnam where New Zealand comeback with a big 50-run win. This final match is not just a formality; it is a chance for both teams to gain confidence and make final adjustments before the big tournament.
| Series Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Status | India lead 3-1 |
| Last Match Result | New Zealand won by 50 runs |
| Key Takeaway | NZ found batting form; India’s experimental lineup faltered |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Complete Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 31, 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network (TV), JioCinema (Live Streaming) |
Greenfield Stadium: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Pitch Analysis:
The pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium gives a balancedplayingsurface.
- EarlyPhase: Pacers can getgoodbounce and movement with the newball.
- Middle Overs: The pitchslows down, makingspinbowlerseffective.
- Batting Approach: Setting a target is ideal. While the averagefirstinningsscore is 144, teams can scorehigh if batterssettlequickly.
- Verdict: A batting–friendlypitch that can lead to highscores if teamshandle the earlyphasewell.
Weather Report:
Perfect conditions are forecast for an evening of cricket.
- Sky: Clear, no rain is expected.
- Temperature: 24°C to 28°C
- Humidity: Around 60-70%, which can help with some swingearlyon.
India A vs USA Warm Up Match T20 World Cup 2026:
Head-to-Head Record: IND vs NZ in T20Is
India has a good historical record, but New Zealand’s recent win has brought them closer.
| Statistic | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 29 |
| Won by India | 17 |
| Won by New Zealand | 11 |
| Tied/No Result | 1 |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Playing11s: Predicted Lineups
Both teams are expected to field strong XIs, possibly sticking to their main players.
India Predicted Playing XI:
India is likely to make some changes to improve their batting after a poor performance in the last match and bring back important bowlers.
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (WK) – Playing in his home city, seeking a big score.
- Suryakumar Yadav (C) – *Series’ top run-scorer with 179 runs.*
- Ishan Kishan
- Rinku Singh
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube – Coming off a spectacular 65 (23 balls) in the last match.
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakaravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh / Harshit Rana
TeamStrategy: The team might goback to a seven-battinglineup for stability.
The choice of bowlers, like thirdspinner or extrapacer, will depend on the pitchconditions.
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:
The Kiwis are likely to stick with their strong batting lineup from the previous match.
- Devon Conway (WK)
- Tim Seifert – Player of the Match last game with 62 (36 balls).
- Rachin Ravindra
- Glenn Phillips
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mark Chapman
- Mitchell Santner (C) – Led from the front with 3 wickets last match.
- Matt Henry
- Ish Sodhi
- Lockie Ferguson / Jacob Duffy
- Zak Foulkes
Team Strategy: The team is unlikely to change much from their previous winning combination.
Lockie Ferguson’s pace could be a key factor if the pitch offers bounce.
Key Players to Watch in IND vs NZ 5th T20I
| Player | Team | Role | Why to Watch? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav | IND | Batter (Captain) | Leading run-scorer of the series. A master of the format. |
| Shivam Dube | IND | All-rounder | In devastating form; can change the game in a few overs. |
| Sanju Samson | IND | WK-Batter | Home game. Eager to cement his role as first-choice opener before WC. |
| Tim Seifert | NZ | WK-Batter | Provides explosive starts. Key to setting/ chasing a big total. |
| Mitchell Santner | NZ | All-rounder (Captain) | Tactically astute and economical with the ball. |
| Jasprit Bumrah | IND | Bowler | The spearhead. Can strike in powerplay and death. |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction Today: Fantasy Team Guide:
Building a winningDream11fantasyteam for this match requires a balance between in-form players and potential game–changers.
Suggested Dream11 Team Combinations –
Team 1 (Balanced Approach):
- Wicket-keepers: Tim Seifert (NZ), Ishan Kishan (IND)
- Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (IND), Abhishek Sharma (IND), Mark Chapman (NZ)
- All-rounders: Glenn Phillips (NZ), Hardik Pandya (IND), Mitchell Santner (NZ)
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Matt Henry (NZ), Varun Chakaravarthy (IND)
- Captain: Suryakumar Yadav | Vice-Captain: Tim Seifert
Team 2 (Aggressive, Differential Picks):
- Wicket-keepers: Sanju Samson (IND), Devon Conway (NZ)
- Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (IND), Rinku Singh (IND), Daryl Mitchell (NZ)
- All-rounders: Shivam Dube (IND), Mitchell Santner (NZ), Rachin Ravindra (NZ)
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Ish Sodhi (NZ)
- Captain: Shivam Dube | Vice-Captain: Sanju Samson
Dream11 Player Selection Tips –
- Captaincy Choices: Suryakumar Yadav is the safest bet. Shivam Dube offers a high-risk, high-reward differential.
- Must-Have Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah is essential for his wicket-taking and economy.
- Value All-rounder: Mitchell Santner consistently contributes with bowling points and can chip in with the bat.
- Differential Pick: Sanju Samson could be a game-changer if he fires in front of his home crowd, and might have lower selection percentage.
Toss Impact and Match Scenarios –
Toss Trends at Greenfield:
- Toss-winning teams often bowl first
- Dew can influence second-innings bowling
Likely Scenarios:
Scenario 1: India bowls first
- NZ Score: 165–180
- Advantage: India
Scenario 2: New Zealand bowls first
- IND Score: 185–205
- Advantage: Slightly New Zealand
T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches Full Schedule:
Match Prediction: Who Will Win the IND vs NZ 5th T20I?
Despite the setback in the last match, India enters this contest as the favourite.
- India’s Edge: Deeper batting lineup, world-class death bowling (Bumrah), and the desire to close the series emphatically.
- New Zealand’s Chance: If their top order replicates the Vizag performance and their spinners contain India’s power-hitters in the middle overs.
Final Verdict: Expect a closely fought match, but India is predicted to win the 5th T20I and take the series 4-1. They have the home advantage, a more settled unit, and will be keen to address the vulnerabilities exposed in the previous game.
FAQs: India vs New Zealand 5th T20I
Q1: What time does the IND vs NZ 5th T20I start?
A: The match IND vs NZ 5th T20I starts at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Q2: Where can I watch the live telecast of the match?
A: The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India. You can also stream it live on JioCinema.
Q3: Is this a must-win game for India?
A: No, India has already won the series 3-1. However, it is an important game for final team combinations and gaining momentum before the T20 World Cup.
Q4: Who is likely to be the key player for New Zealand?
A: Tim Seifert for his explosive batting at the top and Mitchell Santner for his leadership and economical bowling.
Q5: What is the biggest challenge for both teams in IND vs NZ 5th T20I?
A: For India, it’s about providing stability to their batting after the last collapse. For New Zealand, it’s about proving their fourth-match performance wasn’t a one-off and finding consistency.
This final IND vs NZ 5th T20I promises to be a captivating contest of strategy and skill, offering fans a perfect primer for the upcoming World Cup.
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