India head to Hamilton for the fifth and final T20I of the series on Sunday, 1 November 2026. India already lead the five-match series 3-1 and have already sealed it, but the finale still matters: India want to finish 4-1 and fix their bowling after the Eden Park defeat, while New Zealand want a second straight win to close the series on a high.
Match Overview
- Match: New Zealand vs India, 5th T20I
- Series: India tour of New Zealand 2026
- Date: Sunday, 1 November 2026
- Time: 12:30 PM IST
- Toss: 12:00 PM IST
- Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
- Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
- Series score: India lead 3-1
New Zealand won the fourth T20I at Eden Park, Auckland on 30 October by 87 runs. New Zealand posted 259/7 and bowled India out for 172/9. It was a reminder that, even with the series decided, New Zealand can still out-bat India on a true surface. India will want a stronger bowling show in Hamilton, especially in the middle overs and at the death, where the fourth match got away from them.
Also read: New Zealand vs India, 4th T20I, New Zealand vs India, 3rd T20I and New Zealand vs India, 1st T20I.
Match Date, Time and Venue
The fifth T20I will be played on Sunday, 1 November 2026 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. The match starts at 12:30 PM IST, with the toss at 12:00 PM IST. The local start time in Hamilton is 8:00 PM. Fans should check the toss update, because the surface and the short boundaries at Seddon Park can make chasing an attractive option if the captain wins the toss.
Squads and Probable Playing XIs
India squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (wk), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner.
Probable India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav.
Probable New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher.
The key selection questions are around balance. India have explosive batting depth, but they need their bowlers to hold their lengths on a batter-friendly ground. New Zealand, led by Santner, will look to Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell in the middle order and to their pace options with the new ball.
Head-to-Head
In T20Is, India and New Zealand have played 35 matches. India have won 22, New Zealand have won 12, and 1 match ended with no result. That record underlines India’s long-term edge in this format, but the most recent meeting shows how quickly a match can turn: New Zealand’s 259/7 at Eden Park was their highest T20I total against India, and it came after India had already taken the series. Hamilton is a fresh venue and a fresh start, and New Zealand will believe they can repeat that batting performance.
Pitch and Weather Report
Seddon Park is generally batter-friendly, with a flat surface, consistent bounce and relatively short boundaries. Batters can play through the line, and a high total is often needed to feel safe. The toss winner may choose to bowl first, back the chase, and use the conditions under lights. Hamilton is largely clear to partly cloudy, with a low rain chance, so a full match is expected. Bowlers will need variations, yorkers and smart changes of pace, because a predictable length is likely to disappear on this ground.
Where to Watch
In India, fans can watch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network. Check local listings on the Sony Sports channels for the exact channel for this match. The Cricbuzz preview page checked for this match does not confirm a separate streaming platform, so no streaming platform is named here.
FAQs
When and where is the match?
The match is on Sunday, 1 November 2026, at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
What time does it start in IST?
The match starts at 12:30 PM IST, with the toss at 12:00 PM IST. The local time in Hamilton is 8:00 PM.
What is the series score?
India lead the five-match series 3-1 and have already sealed it. New Zealand won the fourth T20I by 87 runs.
Who are the captains?
Shreyas Iyer captains India, and Mitchell Santner captains New Zealand.
Where can fans watch it?
In India, the match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.
Conclusion
The fifth T20I is a chance for India to turn a series win into a statement 4-1 finish, and for New Zealand to prove that Eden Park was no one-off. Expect runs at Seddon Park, a big role for the toss, and a contest shaped by how well India’s bowlers respond. If India bat first, they will aim high; if New Zealand chase, Phillips and Mitchell will again be central to the run chase.
Source: Cricbuzz preview: India seek bowling solutions in bid for 4-1 finish
Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed
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