IND vs NZ, 5th T20I: India complete final rehearsal with Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel showing class
In a commanding finale to their T20 series, India triumphed over New Zealand by 46 runs, showcasing their strength ahead of the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan dazzled with a rapid 103 runs off 43 balls
Last Updated: 11.21 PM, Jan 31, 2026
In what was nearly a perfect series for India, the Men in Blue concluded the rehearsal for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a huge win over the Kiwis in the final T20I of the series in Kerala. Depending on Ishan Kishan's blistering 103 off 43 deliveries, along with fifty from captain Surya Kumar Yadav and power-hitting from Hardik Pandya, Gautam Gambhir's boys finish the series with an emphatic 46-run win.
Ishan pushed Samson for a spot in the XI
Although there was a forecast of dew later in the innings, Surya Kumar Yadav wanted to test the Indian bowling lineup under the lights before the mega event, and that's why he chose to bat first in Kerala. But Sanju Samson could not replicate the expectation from his home crowd in Kerala as he failed again at the top of the order.
However, it was Abhishek Sharma who gave India another quick start. And then it was all about the 137-run partnership between Ishan Kishan and Surya Kumar Yadav, which is now the third-highest for the third wicket by an Indian pair in T20Is.
Ishan made sure he gave the trial for the T20 World Cup by scoring a 43-ball 103 to make sure he pushed Sanju Samson for the place in the playing XI during the World Cup.
Surya Kumar Yadav also looked in great touch as he changed his game to play more straighter with the bat and scored a 30-ball 63 while Hardik Pandya powered through a 17-ball 42 to take India's score to 251 in the first innings.
New Zealand fought hard till the end
Despite losing opener Tim Seifert early in the innings, New Zealand kept pushing hard with the bat. Under the dew, even bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and others struggled as Fien Allen kept punishing Indian bowlers.
Allen was so impressive with the bat that a New Zealand cross 50 in just 3.1 overs did with the chase, and it looked nearly possible that the Kiwis might go on to chase one of the biggest totals in T20I history.
The Kiwi opener completed his 50 in 22 balls as New Zealand crossed 100 in just the 8th over. But, after Akshar Patel dismissed Allen for 80 off 38 balls, New Zealand lost their path and could not match the required run rate.
Despite all the bowlers going for more than 10 runs in an over, Akshar Patel finished with a figure of 33 for 3 in 4 overs and showed everyone why he is important in that Indian XI, especially in subcontinent conditions. Meantime, Arshdeep Singh picked up a five-for to complete his preparation for the T20 World Cup.