IND vs NZ 2026: Predicted India playing XI for the fifth T20I

The ‘New Zealand tour of India 2026’ has finally reached in its final phase. The fifth and final T20I between the two teams will be played at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. India has already won the T20I series and is currently leading the series 3-1. New Zealand, the visitors, finally tasted a victory in the 4th T20I at Visakhapatnam. 

Although the series result has been decided, this match is crucial for both teams, keeping the T20 World Cup in mind. Both teams will certainly try to confirm their playing XI for their opening World Cup fixture in this match. From the Indian team's perspective, Sanju Samson’s current form is a major concern. He scored just 40 runs in 4 innings. This will be the last chance for him to confirm his place in the World Cup. If he fails again, then he might lose his spot in the playing XI for India’s opening game. Especially when Ishan Kishan is going with a wonderful form, and  Tilak Varma is also set to return to the team.

Abhishek Sharma also wants to enter the mega event with a wonderful knock. He is going on a roller coaster ride in this series. He scored 2 fifties but also got 2 ducks. Ishan Kishan will be back in the playing XI and bat at 3. Maybe management will try him as an opener in the upcoming cricket match, and Sanju will feature at 3. And, Ishan may feature behind the stumps too. In this case, a lot of pressure will be on Samson. Thiruvananthapuram is also Sanju’s home ground, and he will want to do something memorable in this match.

Following this, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube will feature in the middle order. India’s middle order is looking very strong, and all batters are going with wonderful form. After this, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy might be included in the playing XI instead of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi. Axar Patel missed the previous 3 matches of the ongoing series due to his finger injury, which he sustained in the India vs New Zealand T20I series opener. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah will be the two pacers. 

Predicted India playing XI for the 5th T20I

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson*, Ishan Kishan(wk), Suryakumar Yadav ©, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel (vc), Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh