Team India will take on New Zealand at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31, in the fifth and final T20I of the series. This clash marks the last outing for both teams before the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India currently lead the series 3-1 and have a strong record in Thiruvananthapuram, winning three out of the four T20Is they’ve played at the venue. While the series is already in India’s favour, the team will be eager to finish on a high note ahead of the World Cup.
In their previous game, they suffered a 50-run defeat to New Zealand. India restricted New Zealand to 215-7 but fell short, scoring 165 in 18.4 overs while chasing. India’s decision to play one less batter in Visakhapatnam backfired, exposing areas to fix before the World Cup.
Sanju Samson’s form remains a concern, and it is uncertain if he will be included on his home ground. Additionally, India are expected to field vice-captain Axar Patel and frontline spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in the final T20I.
India’s T20I Record In Thiruvananthapuram
Team India have played four T20Is at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, winning three of them. Their debut T20I at the venue came against New Zealand in November 2017, where India edged out the Kiwis by six runs in an eight-over contest.
Batting first, India posted 67-5 and then restricted New Zealand to 61-6, with Jasprit Bumrah shining with figures of 2-9 from two overs. In December 2019, India suffered a defeat against the West Indies in the second T20I of a three-match series, losing by eight wickets with nine balls to spare.
The visitors comfortably chased down India’s target of 171, powered by an unbeaten 67 off 45 from Lendl Simmons. India bounced back in September 2022, defeating South Africa by eight wickets in the opening T20I of a three-match series.
After bowling first and restricting the Proteas to 106-8, Arshdeep Singh starred with 3-32. In the chase, KL Rahul scored 51* off 56 balls and Suryakumar Yadav smashed 50* off 33 deliveries to secure a comfortable win. India’s recent T20I at the venue was a 44-run win over Australia in November 2023.
Posting 235-4, India saw fifties from Yashasvi Jaiswal (53 off 25), Ruturaj Gaikwad (58 off 43), and Ishan Kishan (52 off 32). In reply, Australia were restricted to 191-9, with Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi taking three wickets each.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
