IND vs NZ 5th T20I Highlights: Ishan Kishan’s 42-Ball Century & Arshdeep’s Fifer Seal 4-1 Series Win for India
Date: February 1, 2026 | Category: Cricket > Match Reports
Thiruvananthapuram: In a high-octane finale at the Greenfield International Stadium, Team India signed off their T20 World Cup preparations in style, defeating New Zealand by 46 runs in the fifth and final T20I on Saturday. The victory secured a dominant 4-1 series win for the Men in Blue.
The match was defined by sheer power-hitting, with Ishan Kishan smashing a maiden T20I century and Arshdeep Singh picking up a crucial five-wicket haul to derail the Kiwi chase in a run-fest that saw nearly 500 runs scored.
India Innings: The Ishan-SKY Show
India’s batting display was nothing short of carnage. Despite the early loss of local favorite Sanju Samson (6), which silenced the Thiruvananthapuram crowd, the gloom was short-lived.
Ishan Kishan, returning to the side, unleashed a brutal assault on the Kiwi bowlers. He raced to his fifty in just 28 balls before shifting gears to reach his maiden T20I century in just 42 balls. His knock of 103 was studded with 10 massive sixes and 6 fours.
He found an able partner in skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who continued his sublime form with a classy 63 off 30 balls. The duo stitched together a 137-run stand that completely demoralized the visitors. A late cameo by Hardik Pandya (42 off 17) propelled India to a mammoth total of 271/5—their third-highest in T20I history.
New Zealand Chase: Finn Allen Scares India
Chasing a mountain of runs, New Zealand came out swinging. Opener Finn Allen looked dangerous, threatening to take the game away with a blistering 80 off 38 balls. Along with Rachin Ravindra, Allen kept the Kiwis in the hunt during the first half of the innings.
However, the introduction of spin slowed the scoring rate, and Axar Patel (3/33) provided the breakthrough by removing the dangerous Allen.
The Turning Point: Arshdeep’s 5-Wicket Haul
While the batters set the platform, it was pacer Arshdeep Singh who sealed the deal. Despite being expensive in his opening spell, Arshdeep returned at the death to run through the New Zealand lower order. He finished with figures of 5/51, claiming the wickets of dangermen Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Kyle Jamieson to bowl New Zealand out for 225.
Key Match Highlights & Moments
- Kishan vs Sodhi: The defining over of the match was the 12th, where Ishan Kishan smashed leg-spinner Ish Sodhi for 29 runs (4, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6).
- Samson’s Miss: Playing on his home ground, Sanju Samson failed to deliver, departing early for just 6 runs, much to the disappointment of the local fans.
- Series Verdict: With this win, India clinched the series 4-1, providing a massive confidence booster ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 starting next week.
Scorecard Brief
| India Batting | Runs | Balls | New Zealand Batting | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 103 | 43 | Finn Allen | 80 | 38 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 63 | 30 | Ish Sodhi | 33 | 15 |
| Hardik Pandya | 42 | 17 | Rachin Ravindra | 30 | 17 |
| India Bowling | Overs | Wkts | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 5 | 51 |
| Axar Patel | 4 | 3 | 33 |