India and New Zealand are set to clash in the fifth and final T20I of their series on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. With India leading the series 3-1, both teams will be aiming to end the tour on a high note.
Live Streaming Details
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 6:30 PM IST.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for Thiruvananthapuram on January 31, 2026, indicates clear skies with no rain. The daytime temperature is expected to reach a maximum of 29°C, dropping to a comfortable 22°C-24°C during the night. While there is a very low probability of rain, variable cloudiness is expected with a negligible chance of thunderstorms. Humidity is expected to be moderate to high, potentially leading to dew formation in the second innings.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium is known to offer a good balance between bat and ball. Fast bowlers can expect decent pace and bounce early on, while spinners may find grip as the game progresses. Batting conditions tend to become more challenging as the surface slows down. The average first innings score in T20Is at this venue is around 145-155. Teams often prefer to set a total batting first, as chasing can be difficult under lights.
Predicted XIs
Here are the predicted playing XIs for both teams:
- India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
- New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi.
Head-to-Head Record
India and New Zealand have faced each other in 29 T20Is. India holds the advantage with 15 wins, while New Zealand has 11 victories. Three matches have ended in a tie or no result. At the Greenfield International Stadium, India has a strong record, having won three of the four T20Is played there.
Additional Information
All eyes will be on Sanju Samson, playing in front of his home crowd, as he looks to find form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. India will aim to bounce back after their defeat in the fourth T20I and secure a 4-1 series win. New Zealand, having found their rhythm in the previous match, will be keen to carry that momentum into the final game.
