India’s 3-1 series lead heading into the final T20I at Thiruvananthapuram masks the questions raised by their defeat in the fourth match.
New Zealand’s resurgence came at the right time, proving they can challenge India’s combinations when execution is sharp.
Both teams treat this as a World Cup dress rehearsal.
The ind vs nz 5th T20I Dream11 prediction today match sees India recalling Ishan Kishan and Varun Chakravarthy, while New Zealand brings back Finn Allen to open alongside Tim Seifert.
James Neesham may also return, adding depth to their all-round options.
Greenfield International Stadium hosts the decider on Saturday night, with both sides expected to field near-full-strength lineups.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction Today Match
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Details
| Series | Match Number | Venue | Date | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026 | 5th T20I (Series Decider) | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Saturday, 31 January 2026 | 07:00 PM IST |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Preview
India’s Current Position
Three wins from four matches show India’s dominance, but the fourth game exposed vulnerabilities when their rotation policy failed.
Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive intent worked earlier, but he lacks consistency against disciplined bowling.
Ishan Kishan’s inclusion stabilizes the top three. Varun Chakravarthy returns to solve India’s middle-overs control problem, which New Zealand exploited effectively.
Bumrah and Arshdeep remain India’s pace foundation, while Kuldeep Yadav provides wicket-taking spin from the other end.
New Zealand’s Comeback Potential
One win hardly changes the series narrative, but New Zealand’s performance in the fourth match showed improved planning.
Tim Seifert’s counter-attacking approach at the top gave their innings momentum, while their bowlers executed specific plans against India’s left-handers.
Finn Allen’s return changes their powerplay dynamics entirely.
Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell provide middle-order stability, though consistency remains New Zealand’s biggest challenge.
Mitchell Santner’s captaincy has improved tactically through the series.
IND vs NZ T20Is Head-to-Head Record
| Overall Record | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total T20Is Played | 17 | 11 | 1 |
IND vs NZ T20Is Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Recent Results (Last 5) | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| India | W, W, W, W, L | 80% |
| New Zealand | W, L, L, L, W | 40% |
Venue Analysis – Thiruvananthapuram Conditions
- Temperature and Humidity: Expect warm conditions between 26°C and 28°C with moderate humidity levels around 65–75%. Clear skies are forecast, eliminating any rain interruption concerns.
- Surface Characteristics: Thiruvananthapuram offers a batting-friendly track early on. Stroke-makers find value in the powerplay, but the surface gradually slows down. Second-innings chasing has proven difficult at this venue.
- Bowling Dynamics: Pace bowlers get movement with the new ball but must work harder as the innings progress. Spinners become increasingly effective after the tenth over, with grip and turn available for quality operators. Varun Chakravarthy and Mitchell Santner could dominate their respective middle-overs spells.
- Toss Factor: Batting first has produced better results here. Four of seven T20Is at this ground have been won by teams setting targets. Night dew has not been a significant factor, making first-innings batting strategically advantageous.
Greenfield Stadium T20I Numbers
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| T20 Internationals Hosted | 7 |
| Team Batting First Victories | 4 |
| Team Batting Second Victories | 3 |
| First Innings Average | 155 |
| Record Total | 235/4 |
| Lowest Total | 61/6 |
Probable Team Lineups
India’s Likely XI
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand’s Likely XI
- Finn Allen
- Tim Seifert
- Devon Conway
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- James Neesham
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
- Matt Henry
Fantasy Cricket Strategy – Reliable Selections
- Top Captaincy Option: Hardik Pandya delivers across multiple phases. His batting position allows him to finish innings, while his bowling provides powerplay and death-overs points. Consistent returns throughout this series make him the safest captain for the ind vs nz 5th t20i dream11 prediction today match.
- Alternative Captain: Finn Allen opens the innings and faces maximum deliveries. New Zealand needs a strong start, and Allen’s aggressive style suits Thiruvananthapuram’s early batting conditions. His potential for big scores justifies captaincy in grand leagues.
- Dependable Batting Picks: Suryakumar Yadav remains India’s most reliable middle-order option. His record against New Zealand and ability to accelerate from the first ball make him essential. Devon Conway provides stability for New Zealand and has converted starts throughout the series.
- Bowling Picks That Deliver: Arshdeep Singh takes wickets in both powerplay and death overs consistently. His left-arm angle troubles right-handers, and his economy rate has remained tight. Mitchell Santner offers control and breakthroughs, especially against India’s left-handed batters.
- All-Round Value Options: Glenn Phillips bats in the middle order and bowls useful off-spin. His ability to clear boundaries and pick up wickets makes him valuable across both innings phases. Shivam Dube provides left-handed depth and can bowl medium pace if required.
Series Decider Prediction
India’s squad depth gives them multiple tactical options regardless of match situations.
Varun Chakravarthy’s return addresses their most obvious weakness from the previous match, while Ishan Kishan’s experience stabilizes an otherwise aggressive top order.
New Zealand showed improved execution in their recent win, but replicating that performance against a refocused India at home presents challenges.
Their pace attack lacks the variety India possesses, and their middle-order consistency remains questionable.
Home advantage matters significantly in deciders.
India’s record at Thiruvananthapuram and their overall series control make them favourites despite the setback.
Predicted Winner: India
Team News and Fitness Updates
| Team | Fitness Status |
|---|---|
| India | Full squad available |
| New Zealand | Full squad available |
Disclaimer
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Conclusion:
Saturday’s decider at Thiruvananthapuram determines the final series scoreline, but both teams use this as World Cup preparation.
India’s tactical adjustments after their loss and New Zealand’s renewed confidence create an intriguing contest.
The ind vs nz dream11 prediction 5th T20I focuses on players who perform under pressure.
Varun Chakravarthy and Finn Allen return to their respective lineups, changing team dynamics significantly.
Thiruvananthapuram’s pitch characteristics favour teams batting first, making toss decisions critical.
Match essentials:
- Kickoff at 7:00 PM IST, Saturday evening
- Batting first holds a tactical advantage at this venue
- Toss outcome shapes team strategies significantly
- Select top-order batters and specialist spinners for fantasy lineups
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