India outclassed New Zealand by 46 runs in the fifth T20I of the five-match series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. After opting to bat first, India posted a massive 271 for 5 in 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma provided an aggressive start, while Hardik Pandya finished the innings in similar fashion. However, the highlight of the match was the superb, blazing century by Ishan Kishan. Suryakumar Yadav also scored a rapid half-century. For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson was the most successful bowler, finishing with 2 for 41 in four overs.
In reply, Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra gave New Zealand some hope with a strong start, but the target set by India was too big. Once wickets began to fall under the pressure of the high required run rate, New Zealand were bowled out with two balls remaining. Arshdeep Singh (5 for 51 in four overs) and Axar Patel (3 for 33 in four overs) were the standout bowlers for India. With this victory, India sealed the series 4–1.
Six-Hitting Frenzy Lifts India to Massive Total.
Along with Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya all played impactful knocks. India smashed 23 sixes, equalling their highest number of sixes in a T20I innings.
Despite the fireworks later on, India’s start was not fast. They scored only 54 runs in the powerplay, almost the same as in their previous loss. Early wickets slowed momentum, but what followed was total domination.
Samson’s Struggles Continue
Sanju Samson once again failed to make an impact in front of his home crowd. He scored just 6 off 6 balls, ending a disappointing series that included scores of 10, 6, 0, and 24.
His innings was filled with discomfort. A leading-edge four was followed by another leading edge that ended his stay. His deep trigger movement and closed bat face troubled him throughout the series, and the same flaws were visible again.
This poor run further strengthened Kishan’s case for the wicketkeeper-opener role ahead of the World Cup, especially with Tilak Varma set to return.
Kishan Overcomes a Slow Start
At the halfway stage, India were only 82 for 2 after nine overs. Kishan was on 26 off 19 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav had 20 off 13. What followed was a breathtaking acceleration.
India hammered 189 runs in the final 11 overs, scoring at more than 17 runs per over. They hit 18 sixes during this phase alone.
Kishan exploded with 77 runs off just 23 balls, reaching his hundred in 42 deliveries. His assault on Mitchell Santner stood out, as he punished the left-arm spinner despite Santner’s clever variations. Kishan scored 30 off 12 balls against him, while Suryakumar and Hardik added 15 runs each off six balls.
Encouraging Signs for Suryakumar
Suryakumar Yadav also looked sharp and confident. He struck several clean straight sixes off fast bowlers, an area that had troubled him during his lean patch in T20Is.
His timing and confidence down the ground will be a positive sign for India ahead of the World Cup.
Allen Leads Brief New Zealand Fightback
Chasing a daunting 272, New Zealand started aggressively. Finn Allen, playing his first international match since March 2025, continued his explosive form from the Big Bash League.
He smashed 80 off 38 balls and shared a 100-run stand in just 48 balls with Rachin Ravindra. Allen reached a half-century in just 22 balls, taking New Zealand to 79 for 1 in the powerplay and briefly silencing the crowd.
India Strike Back at the Right Time
Despite the fast start, the target remained far too big. Axar Patel broke the momentum by dismissing Allen in the ninth over with a clever, flatter delivery. He then removed Glenn Phillips in similar fashion.
With the pressure back on New Zealand, Arshdeep Singh completed the turnaround. After conceding 40 runs in his first two overs, he bounced back strongly to finish with 5 for 51, his first five-wicket haul in T20Is. One of his key wickets was Ravindra, dismissed with a well-disguised knuckle-ball bouncer.
Comfortable Win Despite Late Relaxation
India eventually won the match by 46 runs. The margin could have been much larger had India not used part-time bowlers for the final two overs.
The game stretched into the last over, but the result was never in doubt. India finished the series on a high, sending a strong message ahead of the T20 World Cup.