India look to sign off T20I series against New Zealand on a winning note
Thiruvananthapuram: All eyes will once again be on hometown hero Sanju Samson as Team India looks to sign off the five-match T20I series on a winning note against New Zealand at the Greenfield Stadium here on Saturday.
The 31-year-old has struggled to get a big score during the ongoing series. Samson, who returned to the opening role after Shubman Gill was axed from the team, has been able to score just 40 runs in four innings against the Black Caps.
Having already sealed the series, India experimented in the fourth T20I at Vizag by fielding an extra bowler. New Zealand capitalised with 215 runs, led by Tim Seifert and Devon Conway, before early wickets derailed India’s chase despite Shivam Dube’s fighting 65-run knock.
As the Men in Blue aim to finish the series with a 4-1 scoreline, the team might opt to make some changes in the playing XI. Ishan Kishan might get back into the team after missing the last match, while Varun Chakravarthy could also return after being rested for the last two
matches.
India has a great record at the Greenfield Stadium. They have won three of the four T20I matches played at the venue. The average first innings score at this stadium is 155, while the highest total was put up by India against Australia in 2023, when they scored 235 runs in 20 overs.
Match starts@7 pm
With history, momentum, and confidence firmly on their side, India will be eyeing another dominant display, while New Zealand will be hoping to end the tour with a win before heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, which will commence on February 7.
