India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I

As the New Zealand tour of India 2026 reaches its climax with the 5th T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium, both teams are battle-hardened and eager to seal the series. India have been dominant at home, especially in T20s, showing a blend of explosive batting and versatile bowling options. The hosts come into this match with momentum, having won the last two fixtures, courtesy of strong middle-order contributions and effective use of spinners. New Zealand, however, have been resilient. Despite the odds, they've managed to keep the series competitive by leveraging their disciplined bowling attack and the finishing prowess of their lower order. The Kiwis’ ability to adapt on subcontinental tracks has improved substantially, with players like Devon Conway and Trent Boult consistently troubling opposition line-ups. Head-to-head in T20Is up to this point slightly favors India, particularly on home soil where their batting firepower comes to the fore. Key players such as India’s Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have been in excellent nick, consistently providing solid starts, while Hardik Pandya continues to be a match-winner with all-round contributions. New Zealand’s success will hinge on the performances of their pace spearhead Boult and all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who adds balance with his spin and handy lower-order hitting. Strategically, the pitch at Greenfield is expected to assist spinners in the middle overs, so controlling the run rate will be crucial. India’s strategy would likely involve aggressive powerplay batting and utilizing their varied bowling arsenal to stifle chase attempts. New Zealand will aim to exploit any early swing and try to keep the game tight, pushing for a decider.

AI suggested match winner

India: 60%, New Zealand: 40%

Should India bat first, a competitive total in the range of 175-185 is achievable given the batting depth and familiarity with these conditions. The Greenfield pitch traditionally offers some assistance to spinners as the innings progresses, which might slow the scoring rate in the latter overs if wickets fall rapidly. If New Zealand bat first, they can look to post a total around 165-175 runs. Their batting lineup is capable of accelerating in the death overs, but subcontinental pitches require careful playing against spin, which might limit free scoring early on. Defensively, this total would put pressure on India’s solid batting lineup, making it an interesting contest.

The Greenfield International Stadium pitch has generally favored batting but slowly assists spinners as the game advances. Average first-innings scores here hover around 170 runs in T20 games. Statistics suggest teams batting second have a slightly better win percentage, reflecting the ground’s slight tendency to assist chase-oriented strategies. Weather on January 31 is forecasted to be clear and moderately warm, about 27°C with no expected rain, ensuring a full game without interruptions. Top performers at this venue among the two teams include Virat Kohli, who boasts a high batting average here, and Rohit Sharma, known for his big-hitting capability. On the bowling front, Rashid Khan has had success against New Zealand but focusing on India and New Zealand locales, Jasprit Bumrah holds the record for best bowling figures at this ground with 4/19, while Trent Boult has been the standout wicket-taker for New Zealand. These ground-specific stats emphasize the importance of controlling the middle overs with spin and pace variations.

Matches Played	India Wins	New Zealand Wins
25	14	11

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 T20I Matches
India	W, W, L, W, W
New Zealand	L, W, L, W, L

Virat Kohli: In his prime form, Kohli has scored consistently across this series with a blend of classical technique and aggression, making him vital to India’s batting strength.

KL Rahul: Known for his stylish stroke play, Rahul has been steady at the top order, providing solid starts and pacing the innings effectively.

Hardik Pandya: His all-round skills have been pivotal, contributing crucial runs in the late overs and breaking partnerships with his disciplined bowling.

Trent Boult: Boult’s swing bowling upfront has consistently troubled Indian batsmen, and he remains New Zealand’s chief wicket-taking threat.

Devon Conway: Conway has shown flair and composure, playing key innings under pressure, vital for the Kiwi batting resilience.

Mitchell Santner: With effective slow left-arm spin and handy lower-order hitting, Santner provides balance and control to New Zealand’s side.