New Zealand avoided a series whitewash with a 50-run win in the 4th T20I, and now both teams head to Thiruvananthapuram for the series decider.
India lead 3-1 but will be cautious after their experimental approach backfired in the previous match.
The ind vs nz 5th T20I Dream11 prediction today match brings back key players on both sides.
Ishan Kishan and Varun Chakravarthy return for India, while New Zealand welcome Finn Allen into the squad.
This is the final T20I before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, so both teams are expected to field their strongest lineups.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction Today Match

The match will be played at Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday evening under lights.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Details
| Match | Series | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I | India vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026 | Saturday, 31 January 2026 | 07:00 PM IST | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Preview
India
India have controlled the series despite the loss in the 4th T20I.
The return of Ishan Kishan adds balance to the top order, while Varun Chakravarthy provides the control India lacked in the previous game.
Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya remain the primary middle-order threats.
With Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Kuldeep in the bowling unit, India has depth across all departments.
The home advantage and recent dominance keep them ahead going into the decider.
New Zealand
New Zealand finally executed their plans in the 4th T20I, restricting India’s batting and finishing the chase comfortably.
Finn Allen’s return strengthens their opening combination alongside Tim Seifert, who showed form in the previous match.
Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner remain crucial to their balance.
However, New Zealand has struggled with consistency throughout the series.
They will need another complete performance to challenge India at home.
IND vs NZ T20Is Head-to-Head Record
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| India | 17 |
| New Zealand | 11 |
| No Result | 1 |
IND vs NZ T20Is Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| India | W, W, W, W, L |
| New Zealand | W, L, L, L, W |
Weather & Pitch Report – Thiruvananthapuram Stadium
- Weather Conditions: Temperature will range between 26–28°C with humidity at 65–75%. No rain is expected, ensuring a full match without interruptions.
- Pitch Behaviour: The surface at Greenfield International Stadium favours batting in the first half. The ball comes onto the bat early, allowing stroke play from the start.
- Spin vs Pace: Spinners get assistance as the pitch slows down. Middle overs become crucial, with wrist spinners and off-spinners finding grip. Pacers must rely on variations rather than bounce.
- Chasing Difficulty: Chasing under lights has been tricky at this venue. Teams batting first have won four out of seven T20Is here, making the toss important. A par score ranges between 155–165.
Greenfield International Stadium – T20I Stats
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 7 |
| Batting First Wins | 4 |
| Batting Second Wins | 3 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 155 |
| Highest Total | 235/4 |
| Lowest Total | 61/6 |
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Predicted Playing XI
India Predicted XI
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand Predicted XI
- Finn Allen
- Tim Seifert
- Devon Conway
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- James Neesham
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
- Matt Henry
Dream11 Fantasy Tips (Safe Picks)
- Captain Choices: Hardik Pandya offers all-around value with consistent performances throughout the series. He bats in the middle order and bowls crucial overs, making him a reliable captaincy option for small leagues.
- Vice-Captain Choices: Finn Allen returns to the XI and opens the batting, giving him maximum deliveries to score. His aggressive approach and New Zealand’s need for a strong start make him a solid vice-captaincy pick.
- Safe Batters: Suryakumar Yadav has been India’s most consistent batter in the series. His ability to score quickly in the middle overs and finish games makes him essential for any fantasy lineup.
- Safe Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh has taken wickets in the powerplay and at the death consistently. His variations under pressure and control with the new ball make him a must-have in small leagues.
- All-rounders to Trust: Glenn Phillips provides balance with both bat and ball. He can accelerate in the middle overs and bowl useful off-spin, offering multiple opportunities to score fantasy points across phases.
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
India rarely loses back-to-back games at home, especially in a series they have dominated.
The return of Varun Chakravarthy adds control in the middle overs, where New Zealand struggled in previous matches.
New Zealand will be stronger with Finn Allen back, but their inconsistency throughout the series remains a concern.
India’s batting depth from Abhishek Sharma to Rinku Singh gives them flexibility across situations.
The home advantage and squad balance favour India.
New Zealand will compete harder, but India’s overall form and experience in pressure situations give them the edge.
Predicted Winner: India
IND vs NZ Injury Update
| Team | Injury Status |
|---|---|
| India | No injury updates |
| New Zealand | No injury updates |
Disclaimer
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Conclusion:
The ind vs nz 5th T20I Dream11 prediction today match brings the series to a close with both teams at full strength.
India has the advantage in squad depth and home conditions, while New Zealand will look to replicate their performance from the 4th T20I.
Varun Chakravarthy’s return strengthens India’s spin options, while Finn Allen gives New Zealand the explosive start they need.
The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium suits batting early, making the toss crucial.
Key points for the decider:
- Match starts at 7:00 PM IST on Saturday, 31 January 2026
- Greenfield International Stadium favours teams batting first
- Winning the toss gives a clear advantage under lights
- Focus fantasy picks on top-order batters and specialist spinners