Vice-captain Axar Patel, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, and wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy are back in the Indian team as they won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand in the fifth T20I. This match marks India’s last international game before the Men’s T20 World Cup starting on February 7. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that local player Sanju Samson will be part of the playing eleven, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The decision to bat first was influenced by the dew factor, with the team aiming to assess their bowlers’ ability to defend a total. The pitch is expected to play well, and the team is looking forward to a strong performance. Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence in the team’s overall preparation across batting, bowling, and fielding, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and improvement.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner revealed four changes in their playing eleven, with Finn Allen, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, and Lockie Ferguson returning to the team. Santner highlighted the favorable conditions for bowling first and the opportunity to evaluate the returning players’ performance. Additionally, Nitin Menon made history by becoming the first Indian on-field umpire to officiate in 150 international matches during this game.
