NZ vs IND 5th T20I: New Zealand Bowl First; Varun and Bhuvi Return for India
New Zealand wins toss and elects to bowl first against India in the final T20I at Seddon Park. Varun Chakravarthy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar return for India.
The stage is set for the final showdown in Hamilton as New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first in the fifth and final T20I against India at Seddon Park. While India already holds a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, the Kiwis are eager to end the contest on a high note following a dominant 87-run victory in the previous match at Eden Park.
The Toss and Tactical Decisions
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner admitted he had expected to lose the toss but decided to field first, citing the look of the new pitch and the potential for dew later in the evening. Santner highlighted the unique challenge of New Zealand's small ground dimensions, noting that players must adapt quickly and operate smartly to be effective.
Santner expressed hope that the Seddon Park surface would offer some bounce, similar to the conditions seen at Eden Park, which aided the seamers during New Zealand's recent win. In terms of team composition, the Black Caps have made one change, bringing Blair Tickner back into the side to replace Matt Fisher.
India's Response and Squad Changes
Indian captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that his side was also keen to bat first. After chasing in the first four games of the series, Iyer stated that the team wanted to test themselves in the first innings and get a feel for how the wicket behaves when setting a total.
Reflecting on the heavy defeat in Auckland, Iyer credited Glenn Phillips for an exceptional performance but emphasized the need for his bowlers to rely on their instincts and adapt their plans to the specific requirements of the wicket.
India has made two significant changes to their playing XI. Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Varun Chakravarthy have both returned to the side, while Axar Patel has been rested. Iyer mentioned that Chakravarthy is particularly motivated, having delivered an inspiring speech to the team during the huddle.
The Lineups
New Zealand Playing XI:
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Finn Allen
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Bevon Jacobs
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Nathan Smith
- Adam Milne
- Jacob Duffy
- Blair Tickner
India Playing XI:
- Sanju Samson
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Tilak Varma
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Naman Dhir
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prince Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy