New Zealand vs India 5th T20I: Series Finale Preview, Pitch Report, and Where to Watch

DD Sports TV

November 1, 2026

The stage is set for a blockbuster series finale as New Zealand takes on India in the 5th and final T20I of the bilateral series. After a high-octane battle throughout the tour, both teams lock horns at Seddon Park, Hamilton, with India leading the series 3–1.

Match Details & Schedule

Fixture: New Zealand vs India, 5th T20I (India Tour of New Zealand)
Date & Time: Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 12:30 PM IST
Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
Series Status: India leads 3–1

Series Context & Recent Form

New Zealand bounced back in style during the 4th T20I at Eden Park, Auckland, putting up a mammoth total of 259/7 powered by a sensational, blistering century from Glenn Phillips (107 off 49 balls). Despite fighting knocks from Tilak Varma (35) and Naman Dhir (28), India fell short, getting bundled out for 172 as Jacob Duffy wreaked havoc with a 4-wicket haul.

While India has already sealed the series 3–1, Shreyas Iyer and his men will be eager to bounce back and seal a commanding finish. Meanwhile, the Black Caps are looking to secure a morale-boosting victory to close out the series on a high.

Seddon Park Pitch & Weather Conditions

Known for its short boundaries and high-scoring thrillers, Seddon Park in Hamilton generally favors batters. However, historical data at this venue shows that teams winning the toss often prefer to bat first, as defending totals under lights has historically been successful here. Pacers will need to rely on clever variations and tight lines to counter the explosive power-hitters on both sides.

Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav