The five-match T20I series will conclude in Thiruvananthapuram as India aims to finish strong against New Zealand, who made a comeback in Visakhapatnam. With India leading the series 3-1, this final T20I is a crucial chance for both teams to assess their strengths before the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Greenfield International Stadium in Kerala provides a unique setting where humid conditions and coastal breezes play a key role in the game. This venue is known for being more bowler-friendly compared to the high-scoring pitches used earlier in the series. Local player Sanju Samson will be in the spotlight as he competes on home ground, aiming for a strong showing. The ‘Men in Blue’ strive for a 4-1 series win, while the Black Caps look to build on their recent 50-run victory.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Probable Playing XI
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium is well-balanced and slightly favors bowlers. It does not typically offer flat surfaces for batters, providing enough grip for spinners during the middle overs. In the early stages, the moisture from the coast helps seamers with movement. As the match moves on, the pitch slows down, which can challenge batters to adapt their play.
One major aspect at this venue is the high humidity and heavy evening dew. While the first innings can be tough for batters, dew in the second half can make the ball easier to hit. As a result, the team winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first to take advantage of the better batting conditions later. Batters need to be careful at the start, as the ball may grip on the surface, but once they settle in, they can benefit from the ball skidding under the lights.
Greenfield International Stadium Stats & Records
- Total T20I Matches: 7
- Matches won batting first: 4
- Matches won bowling first: 3
- Average 1st Innings Score: 155
- Average 2nd Innings Score: 143
- Highest Total Recorded: 235/4 by India vs Australia
- Lowest Total Recorded: N/A
- Highest Score Chased: 173/2 by West Indies vs India
- Lowest Score Defended: 67/5 by India vs New Zealand
