India vs New Zealand 5th T20I: Live Streaming, head-to-head, pitch and weather report
After a 50-run defeat in their last game, India will look to bounce back and bag their fourth win in the series when they take on New Zealand in the 5th T20I on Saturday.
India will lock horns with New Zealand in the final fifth T20I of the ongoing five-match series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 31. After three wins in a row in the first three games, India suffered a 50-run defeat in the last game following an experiment in the team combination.
India went into the 4th T20I in Vizag with a batter short and ended up paying the price as they succumbed to their first defeat in the five-match rubber. However, having already wrapped up the series with an unassailable lead, the hosts will not be too worried heading into their final game before the T20 World Cup 2026 gets underway next week.
The hosts are likely to play a full-strength XI in the 5th T20I in Thiruvananthapuram to test their combination ahead of the start of the showpiece event. Despite Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar not being available in the series, it is a chance for India to test the majority of their playing XI, which might take the field in their T20 World Cup opener against USA on February 07.
The spotlight will firmly be on Sanju Samson at his home ground. The opener suffered his fourth straight failure in the series after getting dismissed cheaply on 24 in the 4th T20I. He has managed only 40 runs in the four innings in the series so far and will be hoping to get back among the runs ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Having rested frontline spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in the last two games, India might bring him back in the XI to give him game time. Ishan Kishan might also return at no.3 after he was left out of the playing XI in place of pacer Arshdeep Singh in the last game. Kishan has done well in the absence of Tilak Varma and is staking a claim for a permanent spot in the XI.
India vs New Zealand - Head-to-head record in T20Is
India and New Zealand have locked horns in 29 matches in T20Is. India hold an edge over the Kiwis with 17 victories under their belt, including two Super Over wins. One match between the two teams ended in a tie.
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I, Thiruvananthapuram weather report:
As per Accuweather, the weather in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is expected to remain pleasant throughout the day. The forecast is promising with no chances of rain playing spoilsport during the contest.
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I, Greenfield Stadium pitch report:
The pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium is expected to assist the batters. The wicket is likely to be on the flatter side and with small dimensions of the ground, we might be in for a run fest at the venue on Saturday.
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I live streaming details:
The 5th T20I between India and New Zealand will get underway at 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, January 31. The toss will take place at 7 PM IST. The live telcast of the match will be available on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans can live stream the match on the JioHotstar app and the website.