India capped off their T20 series against New Zealand in emphatic fashion, winning the 5th and final T20I by 46 runs to claim the series 4-1 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. It was a dominant performance that showcased India’s batting firepower and bowling depth as the hosts finished their preparations on a high ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India posted a massive 271 for 5 in their 20 overs, one of their highest totals in the format. Ishan Kishan was the standout with the bat, scoring his maiden T20I century — 103 off just 43 balls with an array of fours and sixes that took the game away from the visitors. His knock was explosive and underlined his growing stature in the shortest format. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav played a fluent 63 off 30 balls, providing support and stability, while Hardik Pandya chipped in with a quickfire 42 off 17, helping India accelerate in the late overs and post a challenging total.
New Zealand’s chase began promisingly, with Finn Allen leading from the front with a brisk 80 off 38 deliveries, including powerful hitting against India’s pace attack. However, once Allen departed, the momentum shifted decisively. Arshdeep Singh spearheaded India’s bowling comeback, delivering a standout performance by taking five wickets for 51 runs after a tough start where he conceded 40 in his first two overs. He then struck key blows to remove dangerous batters like Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner and Kyle Jamieson, crippling New Zealand’s ability to chase the hefty target. Spinners Axar Patel (3 / 33) and Varun Chakravarthy also played crucial roles, ensuring regular breakthroughs that stalled any sustained resistance.
New Zealand eventually finished all out for 225 in 19.4 overs, falling short by 46 runs despite spirited efforts from their top order. The comprehensive nature of India’s performance reflected strong execution across departments — a near-perfect combination of aggression with the bat and tactical discipline with the ball.
The victory not only secured a 4-1 series win for India but also gave the team a massive confidence boost as they edge closer to World Cup action. The batting display in particular — with Kishan showcasing explosive form — will have pleased the Indian camp ahead of the global tournament. His century, coming at a brisk pace, highlighted his ability to dominate bowling attacks and will strengthen his case for a key role in the T20 World Cup setup.
From a bowling perspective, India’s attack showed adaptability and persistence. Arshdeep’s comeback after a tough opening spell illustrated his resilience, while the spin pairing of Axar and Chakravarthy kept pressure on the New Zealand middle order. The collective effort ensured that New Zealand never looked likely to overhaul India’s imposing total once India had seized control.
This final match also provided India with a chance to fine-tune combinations and build cohesion ahead of the T20 World Cup, playing in conditions similar to what they can expect in the early stages of the tournament. The balance between aggressive batting and varied bowling options gives India a template they will be keen to replicate when the World Cup begins.
12BET Shortlisted for Sportsbook Operator of the Year at SBC Awards 2025