February 02, 2026 By Admin
IND vs NZ 5th T20I was not just a match — it was a statement. Big runs, fearless batting, and a clear message before upcoming ICC events. Let’s break down what really happened.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I Match Report – India Complete 5–0 Clean Sweep
The 5th T20 International between India and New Zealand at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on 31st January 2026, marked the grand conclusion of New Zealand's tour of India. With a dominant performance, India sealed a historic 5–0 clean sweep, showcasing their explosive batting, strategic bowling, and overall cricketing prowess. Shubman Gill's elegance and Hardik Pandya's finishing power were the highlights of this high-scoring thriller.
Match Details
Match: 5th T20 International
Series: New Zealand tour of India 2026
Date: 31 January 2026
Venue: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first
Result: India won by 46 runs
Series Status: India 5–0 clean sweep
Player of the Match: Shubman Gill
India Innings – Detailed Batting Review
India's innings was a spectacle of power-hitting and elegant strokeplay. Winning the toss, India chose to bat first and posted a mammoth total of 271/5 in 20 overs, with contributions across the top, middle, and lower order. The innings was highlighted by Shubman Gill's sublime 89 off 49 balls, Ruturaj Gaikwad's fiery 54 off 28, and Hardik Pandya's finishing blitz of 43* off just 17 balls.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 89 | 49 | 6 | 8 | 181.63 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 54 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 192.85 |
| Hardik Pandya* | 43* | 17 | 2 | 5 | 252.94 |
- Shubman Gill provided a perfect anchor at the top, mixing elegance with aggression, punishing loose deliveries from New Zealand bowlers.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad's cameo during the middle overs accelerated India's scoring rate and prevented any momentum loss after wickets fell.
- Hardik Pandya's finishing prowess was on full display in the final three overs, hitting crucial sixes to take India past the 270-run mark, setting an almost impossible target.
- Suryakumar Yadav's intelligent rotation of strike supported the top order, ensuring there were no overs wasted.
New Zealand Innings – Bowling & Batting Analysis
Chasing a massive 272, New Zealand faced an uphill task from the start. India's bowlers executed their plans perfectly, picking early wickets and maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4 | 37 | 2 | 9.25 |
| Mohammed Shami | 4 | 41 | 3 | 10.25 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 4 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 |
Batting Performance
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 63 | 41 | 6 | 2 | 153.65 |
| Glenn Phillips | 48 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 150.00 |
- Devon Conway attempted a valiant counterattack, keeping New Zealand in the game for a while but lacked consistent support from the other end.
- Early wickets by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Chahal put New Zealand on the back foot immediately.
- Mohammed Shami bowled tight death overs, taking crucial wickets and restricting scoring in the final overs.
- Overall, India's bowling plan execution was flawless, mixing pace, swing, spin, and variations intelligently.
Key Moments & Turning Points
- Powerplay dominance: India scored 68 runs in the first 3 overs, building early momentum and confidence.
- Middle-order partnerships: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Suryakumar Yadav stabilized the innings after quick wickets.
- Finishing burst: Hardik Pandya's 43* off 17 balls in the last 3 overs elevated India's total past 270.
- Bowling breakthroughs: The Bhuvneshwar–Chahal combination restricted New Zealand's chase, particularly in middle overs.
- Fielding excellence: India's fielders executed key run-outs and stopped crucial boundaries at the right moments.
Player of the Match – Shubman Gill
- Played a classy 89 off 49 balls at a strike rate of 181.63.
- Anchored the innings with smart shot selection, avoiding risky deliveries.
- Set up a platform for explosive hitters like Gaikwad and Pandya.
- Displayed a mix of technical precision and aggressive intent that proved decisive.
Full Scorecard
India Innings: 271/5 (20 Overs)
New Zealand Innings: 225/9 (20 Overs)
Result: India won by 46 runs
Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
- Twitter celebrated Shubman Gill's class and Hardik Pandya's finishing power with viral posts.
- Instagram reels of sixes and highlights from the match quickly gained traction with cricket fans.
- Fans praised India's consistent performance across all 5 matches of the series.
- Memes mocking New Zealand's failed chase were trending within hours.
- Social media sentiment highlighted India's dominance in home conditions and their readiness for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
FAQs – India vs New Zealand 5th T20I
Q1: Who won the 5th T20I?
A1: India by 46 runs.
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match?
A2: Shubman Gill (89 off 49 balls).
Q3: What was India's total?
A3: 271/5 in 20 overs.
Q4: Where was the match played?
A4: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
Q5: What was the series outcome?
A5: India won 5–0, completing a clean sweep.
Q6: Who were the top performers for India?
A6: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Hardik Pandya.
Q7: How did New Zealand perform?
A7: They struggled to chase the massive total; Devon Conway played well but lacked support.
Q8: What were the turning points?
A8: India's powerplay, middle-order partnerships, and death-over finishing by Pandya.
Conclusion
India's 5th T20I win over New Zealand was a display of power, strategy, and skill across batting, bowling, and fielding departments. The 5–0 clean sweep underlined India's dominance at home and sent a strong message to the cricketing world ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Shubman Gill's elegance, Ruturaj Gaikwad's aggression, and Hardik Pandya's finishing ability were key factors, while the bowlers ensured New Zealand never recovered from early setbacks. Fans and cricket enthusiasts will remember this match as a perfect example of India's depth, talent, and T20 expertise.