IND vs NZ 5th T20I

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: India Win Toss, Opt to Bat as Teams Make Key Changes

India and New Zealand locked horns in the 5th T20 International at the picturesque Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, with plenty of excitement building even before the first ball was bowled. Winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to bat first, aiming to put pressure on the visitors with a strong total on the board.

(IND vs NZ 5th T20I) The final T20I of the series witnessed several significant changes in both playing XIs, underlining the importance of team balance and match conditions.

India Win Toss and Choose to Bat

After winning the toss, Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence in India’s batting depth and felt that batting first would allow his team to exploit the conditions early. (IND vs NZ 5th T20I) The pitch at Greenfield Stadium is traditionally known to assist spinners as the game progresses, making early runs crucial.

With the series momentum at stake, India’s decision to bat first highlighted their intent to dominate proceedings from the start.

India Make Three Strategic Changes

India made three changes to their playing XI, bringing back:

Axar Patel
Ishan Kishan
Varun Chakravarthy

These inclusions strengthened both the batting and bowling departments. Axar Patel adds valuable all-round balance, Varun Chakravarthy boosts India’s spin attack, while Ishan Kishan provides aggressive batting firepower in the top order.

(IND vs NZ 5th T20I) The Indian team management appeared keen on fielding a well-rounded side capable of handling New Zealand’s pace and spin threats.

New Zealand Ring in Four Changes

New Zealand also opted for a refreshed look, making four changes to their lineup. The players drafted into the XI were:

Finn Allen
Bevon Jacobs
Kyle Jamieson
Lockie Ferguson

These changes added pace, aggression, and depth to the New Zealand squad. (IND vs NZ 5th T20I) The inclusion of Jamieson and Ferguson strengthened the fast-bowling unit, while Finn Allen’s explosive batting at the top offered the potential for quick runs during the chase.

Captain  Mitchell Santner emphasized adaptability and fresh energy as key reasons behind the changes.

Captains at the Toss

The toss moment featured Suryakumar Yadav and Mitchell Santner, captured at the center with both captains discussing conditions and team combinations. (IND vs NZ 5th T20I) The match atmosphere was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating a thrilling contest.

Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

Full Playing XIs

New Zealand Playing XI

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

India Playing XI

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

Match Outlook

With India batting first,(IND vs NZ 5th T20I) all eyes were on the top and middle order to set a competitive total. New Zealand’s pace-heavy bowling attack, led by Ferguson and Jamieson, was expected to test the Indian batters early.

As the series reached its climax, fans could expect an intense battle between bat and ball, with both teams fielding strong combinations aimed at finishing on a high note.

 Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

The pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium is known for being one of the better batting surfaces in India, especially in white-ball cricket. Early on, fast bowlers get some bounce and carry, while batters who spend time in the middle can score freely.

First-innings average score (T20Is): 165–175

Pitch nature: Balanced, slightly batting-friendly

Spinners: Effective in middle overs

Pacers: Swing available in the first 2–3 overs

India’s decision to bat first suggests confidence in putting up a 170+ total, which can be challenging to chase under pressure.