The Men in Blue have already taken an unassailable 4-0 lead in the on-going 5-game T20Is in and against New Zealand. India has already achieved their maiden T20I series win in New Zealand during the 3rd game of the series and is now eyeing at a clean-sweep while New Zealand is trying hard to save themselves from embarrassment. The last match of the series will be played on February 2 at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, kick-starting at 12:30 PM.
The hosts had a close-call with victory in the last two matches, but as the luck had, there struggle with super-overs is still going hard. The 3rd and 4th T20Is looked all in New Zealand’s hands before Mohammad Shami, and Shardul Thakur turned tables in the last over of the respective games, taking it to Super Over.
The upcoming match will be a battle for pride for both the teams as the hosts will try saving themselves from a clean-sweep while the visitors will give it all to hold their prowess high by washing out the Kiwis.
Team News
New Zealand
Kane Williamson sustained a left-shoulder injury during the practice match before 4th ODI following which he was unavailable for the last game. Something similar is expected in the upcoming match too. With the absence of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee is expected to continue with captainship of the team. No major changes are expected in the team. Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi and Hamish Bennett have been going strong for the team.
Probable Playing XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Tom Bruce, Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggelejin, Tim Southee (C), Ish Sodhi, Hamish Bennett
India
With the series already in hand, team India might try tinkering with the playing team in the last game. The team management might rest skipper Virat Kohli & opener, KL Rahul, for the upcoming match while bringing in Rohit Sharma to captain the team. Rishabh pant can be called-up in place of KL Rahul. Mohammad Shami can also join the team back while Bumrah can be rested for the upcoming match.
Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Rishabh Pant, Manish Pandey, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini
Key Players
New Zealand
Colin Munro
Ish Sodhi
India
Shreyas Iyer
Rohit Sharma
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The game will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, and the pitch is for its batting friendly nature. The spinners get more advantage here as compared to fast-bowlers. The team winning the toss is expected to bowl first.
The weather reports from Mount Maunganui suggest the weather to be mostly sunny with no chances of shower. The temperature will be around 24-27 degrees Celsius.
Head-to-head
Total: 15
India: 7
New Zealand: 8
No Result: 0
