IND vs NZ 5th T20I 2025-26: Ishan Kishan’s whirlwind century and Arshdeep Singh’s five-for power India to a dominant 4-1 series win.
Brief Scores: IND 271-5 (Ishan Kishan 103, Lockie Ferguson 2-41) beat NZ 225 (Finn Allen 80, Arshdeep Singh 5-51) by 46 runs.
India signed off their five-match T20I series against New Zealand with the fifth and final match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, looking to cap a dominant campaign ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
The spotlight was firmly on Abhishek Sharma, whose explosive batting through the series had redefined India’s powerplay approach and made him one of the most talked-about young batters in the side. However, his brisk start was finally halted on 30, a welcome relief for New Zealand.
Alongside him, there was added attention on Sanju Samson, who, across formats, was representing India in his home state of Kerala for the first time. It was a rare personal milestone that brought both expectation and emotional weight. Unfortunately, his night ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for just 6 runs.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Why rest of the teams need to be cautious against India’s fiery batting line up
Talking Point: Consistency & powerplay impact put Ishan Kishan in pole position for T20 World Cup 2026 keeper slot
Ishan Kishan has quietly moved ahead in the race for India’s wicketkeeper slot at the T20 World Cup 2026, built on a season defined by consistency and powerplay dominance.
Across the recently concluded New Zealand series, Kishan not only delivered rapid starts but did so with a level of control that India’s selectors will value highly. His strike rates in the powerplay, coupled with his willingness to take on the new ball without exposing the middle order early, gave India a structural advantage in almost every game.
More importantly, Kishan’s case has been strengthened by clarity in role execution. Unlike some of his competitors, he has embraced the responsibility of setting the tempo rather than merely chasing personal milestones. His ability to handle high pace, exploit fielding restrictions, and maintain wicketkeeping standards without visible dips in batting output has separated him from the pack.
With the T20 World Cup set to be played in familiar conditions at home, Kishan currently looks the most complete and low-risk option for India in a position that demands both explosiveness and consistency.
Read More: IND vs NZ 2025-26, 4th T20I: Despite Dube heroics, Conway-Seifert opening salvo drives India out
Match Summary
After the early departure of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan took control of the innings with a blistering 103 off just 43 balls, tearing into the New Zealand attack with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. His assault ensured India never lost momentum, while Suryakumar Yadav provided the perfect support with a fluent 63 off 30, continuing his outstanding form in the series. A late cameo from Hardik Pandya pushed India to a daunting 271 for 5, their third-highest total in T20Is.
In reply, New Zealand were never truly in the contest. Early wickets pegged them back, and despite brief resistance from the middle order, the required rate kept spiralling out of control. The India bowlers, led by disciplined spells in the powerplay and middle overs, ensured the visitors fell well short of the target, sealing a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
Read More: IND vs NZ 2025-26, 3rd T20I: India execute fastest chase in match involving Test teams (150+ target)
Statistical Highlights from IND vs NZ, Thiruvananthapuram, 5th T20I
- Across formats, Sanju Samson today appeared for the first time for India in his home state, Kerala.
- Sanju Samson averaged 9.2 in this T20I series against New Zealand. This is his lowest series average in this format (minimum 3 matches).
- Nitin Menon stood as a field umpire in his 150th international game today. That’s the most for an Indian umpire. Venkataraghavan stands in second place with 125 games.
- Abhishek Sharma played Lockie Ferguson for the first time in T20Is. He managed just 1 run off 4 balls in this match-up and got dismissed in the end by the latter.
- Suryakumar Yadav completes 3000 runs in T20Is. He is the third India batter to cross this landmark after Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma.
- Ishan Kishan got his maiden T20I hundred & also crossed the 1000-run mark in this format for India.
- India registered their biggest team total in T20Is against New Zealand today.
- India registered a cumulative 23 sixes in their team innings today. This is the joint-most sixes hit by India in a T20I innings. India had also registered the same amount of sixes against South Africa at Johannesburg in November 2024.
- This is the fourth time in a bilateral T20I series that 100+ sixes have been hit.
- India registered their third-highest team total in T20Is.
What’s next
With the T20I series wrapped up in emphatic fashion, the Men in Blue will now turn their attention to the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to begin on Saturday, February 7. India will open their campaign with a game against USA at the Wankhede on the opening day. Meanwhile, the Kiwis will be in action on Sunday against Afghanistan.
Top Twitter Reaction from IND vs NZ, 5th T20I, Thiruvananthapuram
Accolades for the explosive batting which makes India such a force in T20s is well-earned, but the bowling hasn’t been a whit behind
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 31, 2026
Ishan Kishan’s Runs & Surya Kumar’s form was the biggest positive from this series vs New Zealand. Let’s go for the world cup now.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 31, 2026
Looks like the brief to Ishan before the series was “Daya darwaza todd do!” He’s running hot! However even after scoring 271 India were still under pressure at halfway stage when NZ were 131/2! But the bowlers held their nerve led by Arsh fifer. Bring on the World Cup 💪🏼 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/lGkBjfm1Ds
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 31, 2026
#Sky regaining form has been the biggest positive of this series .#INDvsNZ #Cricket26 #CricketTwitter
— WV Raman (@wvraman) January 31, 2026
Ishan Kishan shows the power of not giving up, training hard and believing in your strength. He never changed his style and got the rewards. What a timely comeback… just a week before the World T20.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 31, 2026
Read More: Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026, which are the areas India need to address in T20I series against NZ?
