The much-anticipated series finale is here as cricket fans gear up for the India vs New Zealand Prediction for the 5th T20I of the New Zealand tour of India 2026. With the hosts already sealing the series 3-1, the final match at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, promises excitement, pride, and momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
India have been the superior side for most of the series, showing dominance in Nagpur, Raipur, and Guwahati. However, their unexpected 50-run defeat in Visakhapatnam has raised questions about consistency. This makes the India vs New Zealand Prediction even more intriguing, as the Men in Blue aim to finish the series strongly with a 4-1 scoreline.
Match Details: IND vs NZ, 5th T20I
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Match: India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I
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Date & Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026 – 7:00 PM IST
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Venue: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
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Broadcast & Live Streaming: JioStar Network Channels & JioHotstar App/Website
Pitch Report: Greenfield International Stadium
The Thiruvananthapuram surface has historically favored India, with the hosts losing just once in four men’s T20Is here. The pitch starts well for batting but tends to slow down, bringing spinners and cutters into play. Any team batting first should aim for 220+ to stay competitive. This pitch analysis plays a vital role in today’s India vs New Zealand Prediction.
Current Form & Team Analysis
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, boast a fearless batting lineup featuring Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube, while Jasprit Bumrah anchors the bowling attack. Despite the hiccup in the 4th T20I, India remain favorites in most India vs New Zealand Prediction models.
New Zealand finally clicked as a unit in Visakhapatnam under Mitchell Santner’s leadership. Devon Conway’s return to form has boosted confidence, and the BlackCaps will aim to end the series on a high — an important factor when evaluating the India vs New Zealand Prediction.
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
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Matches Played: 29
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India Wins: 15
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New Zealand Wins: 11
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Tied/No Result: 3
The historical data slightly favors India, strengthening today’s India vs New Zealand Prediction.
Predicted Playing XIs
India:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand:
Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Jimmy Neesham, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi
Probable Best Performer
Devon Conway (NZ):
After early struggles, Conway rediscovered his rhythm in the previous game, especially during the powerplay. If he fires again, he could challenge this India vs New Zealand Prediction.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
Considering home advantage, squad depth, and bounce-back mentality, India are favorites to win the 5th T20I. Expect a strong response from Suryakumar Yadav’s men as they eye momentum before the T20 World Cup. Final verdict in this India vs New Zealand Prediction: India to win.
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