India vs New Zealand Prediction: Who Will Win IND vs NZ 5th T20 Match on 31st January 2026?
The India vs New Zealand prediction for the 5th and final T20I of the series points towards an exciting finish at the Greenfield International Cricket Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday, 31 January 2026. Cricketwebs provide 100% match prediction tips for every cricket match, and this clash is crucial as India aim to end the series on a dominant note while New Zealand look to finish with confidence.
India currently lead the series and have historically enjoyed success at this venue, winning three of the four T20Is played here. The average first-innings score at Greenfield Stadium stands around 170, which underlines the importance of batting depth and death-over execution. Suryakumar Yadav has been India’s standout batter this series, scoring 179 runs in four matches, and remains the key player heading into this finale.
New Zealand, meanwhile, finally broke their losing streak with a convincing 50-run victory in the fourth T20I. Their batting clicked perfectly, with Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, and Daryl Mitchell delivering impactful performances. That win has given the visitors momentum, but consistency remains a concern, especially in the bowling department where support for Matt Henry has been limited.
India’s main worry has been bowling at the death and picking wickets in the powerplay. However, with the likely return of Varun Chakravarthy and a full-strength XI expected, India look well prepared to bounce back. Overall, this India vs New Zealand prediction slightly favours India due to home advantage, stronger batting depth, and a better record at this venue.
- India lead the series and have a strong record at Greenfield Stadium
- Suryakumar Yadav is India’s top run-scorer this series
- New Zealand come in with confidence after winning the 4th T20I
- India start favourites to win the final match
Match Details
| Match | IND vs NZ, 5th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, 31 January 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Greenfield International Cricket Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Series | New Zealand Tour of India 2026 |
Team Preview
India Preview
India’s experiment-heavy approach finally cost them in the 4th T20I as New Zealand punished their bowling to post a massive total. Conceding 215 runs exposed India’s struggles in the powerplay and death overs. Despite having multiple bowling options, the lack of early wickets and poor execution allowed New Zealand batters to dominate.
Batting remains India’s biggest strength. Suryakumar Yadav has been in sublime touch, controlling the middle overs and accelerating with ease. Hardik Pandya’s finishing ability and Rinku Singh’s consistency down the order provide depth. Sanju Samson, playing in his home state, will be eager to deliver a meaningful innings despite a quiet series so far.
Bowling is where India need improvement. Jasprit Bumrah has been slightly expensive by his standards, while Arshdeep Singh has lacked support. The expected return of Varun Chakravarthy could be crucial, as he has been India’s most economical spinner in this series. With dew expected later in the evening, India may prefer batting first and defending with disciplined bowling.
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand finally found the right balance in the 4th T20I, producing their most complete performance of the series. Tim Seifert’s aggressive 62 and Devon Conway’s fluent 44 gave them a solid platform, while Daryl Mitchell’s explosive cameo at number six added late momentum.
The flexibility of Mitchell’s role is a major positive for New Zealand, allowing them to reshuffle the middle order as required. Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman add power and stability, though inconsistency from Rachin Ravindra remains a concern.
Bowling, however, is still an area of worry. Matt Henry has provided breakthroughs with the new ball, but support from the other seamers has been inconsistent. Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi remain key in the middle overs, especially on a surface that can assist spinners early on. For New Zealand to challenge India again, their bowlers must maintain discipline and avoid conceding runs at the death.
Team Squads
India Squad:
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand Squad:
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Probable Playing XI
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
India vs New Zealand Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Suryakumar Yadav, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert |
| All-rounders | Hardik Pandya, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner |
| Bowlers | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Matt Henry, Varun Chakravarthy |
| Wicketkeeper | Sanju Samson |
This fantasy XI focuses on in-form batters and impact all-rounders. Suryakumar Yadav is a must-pick due to his consistency and strike rate. Devon Conway and Tim Seifert provide stability and aggression for New Zealand. Hardik Pandya and Daryl Mitchell offer dual value with bat and ball, while Mitchell Santner adds spin control. Varun Chakravarthy’s wicket-taking ability on Indian surfaces makes him a key pick. Bumrah and Arshdeep handle death overs, increasing wicket potential, while Matt Henry remains New Zealand’s best bowling option.
Captain Choices: Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya
Vice-Captain Choices: Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway
Players to Avoid: Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team Today – India
India are favourites due to home advantage, superior batting depth, and a strong record at Greenfield Stadium. Their lineup features multiple match-winners, and the likely return of Varun Chakravarthy strengthens their bowling. New Zealand’s inconsistency away from home and bowling vulnerabilities tilt the balance towards India. In this India vs New Zealand prediction, India’s experience and crowd support make them the safer pick.
India T20 History
| Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 267 | 184 | 74 | 8 | 1 |
India boast one of the strongest T20 records, especially at home.
New Zealand T20 History
| Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 129 | 109 | 11 | 1 |
New Zealand are competitive globally but less consistent in India.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Matches | IND Won | NZ Won | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 17 | 11 | 1 |
India hold a clear head-to-head edge, particularly in home conditions.
Pitch Report
The Greenfield International Cricket Stadium pitch in Thiruvananthapuram offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, pacers may extract slight movement with the ball, but as the match progresses the surface tends to slow down slightly, offering assistive conditions for spinners. Historically, slower deliveries and cutters work well in the middle overs, requiring batters to work hard for runs. Captains often prefer bowling first to exploit any early assistance before dew settles in and makes the ball slippery later in the evening. Discipline in line and length will be crucial for both sides to gain control.
Weather Report
Clear and warm conditions are expected in Thiruvananthapuram on match day, with pleasant evening skies and negligible rain chances. Temperatures will hover around the high 20s°C to low 30s°C, with coastal humidity typical of the region.
Broadcast Details
The India vs New Zealand 5th T20I will be broadcast live on JioHotstar And Star Sports Network with comprehensive digital streaming options, ensuring fans can follow every moment of the series decider across platforms.
Toss Prediction
Considering dew later in the evening, both captains may prefer chasing. Winning the toss could be key, with teams likely choosing to bowl first to exploit early conditions and chase under more favorable batting conditions later.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
Probable Batsmen: Suryakumar Yadav remains India’s prime batting threat, consistently anchoring innings and accelerating when needed. His ability to play spinners and pacers makes him a vital pick. For New Zealand, Tim Seifert’s aggressive stroke play and ability to convert starts could prove decisive. Devon Conway’s experience provides stability at the top.
Probable Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy’s spin craft and control in middle overs can stifle opposition scoring, crucial on a surface that assists spin as the game progresses. For New Zealand, Matt Henry’s ability to bowl disciplined lines and extract bounce early could earn important breakthroughs. Mitchell Santner’s all-round bowling adds depth, particularly in containing runs during the middle overs and applying pressure through variations.
Match Prediction
In this India vs New Zealand prediction, India’s stronger batting depth, home advantage, and spin resources give them the edge. New Zealand can challenge with disciplined bowling and timely batting contributions, but India’s versatility and familiarity with conditions make them favourites to clinch the series with a win in the decisive 5th T20.
Winner: India Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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