Ishan Kishan Century Ignites Series Finale As India And New Zealand Battle In T20 Thriller

The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram was buzzing with anticipation on January 31, 2026, as India and New Zealand squared off in the fifth and final T20 International of the series. While the series outcome had already been settled in India’s favor after their victories in the first three encounters, the contest was far from a dead rubber. Both teams eyed this match as their last chance to experiment, fine-tune their lineups, and build momentum ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to commence on February 7.

India entered the clash with a 3-1 lead, but it was New Zealand who carried the psychological edge after a resounding 50-run win in the previous game. That result not only snapped India’s winning streak but also injected the Black Caps with a much-needed dose of confidence. For the hosts, the loss was a timely wake-up call, reminding them of the perils of complacency and the importance of adaptability, especially with cricket’s biggest stage looming just a week away.

Fans who packed the stands and tuned in via Star Sports Network or streamed the action on JioHotstar were treated to a high-octane spectacle from the get-go. India, after winning the toss, elected to bat first—an aggressive statement of intent from captain Suryakumar Yadav. The playing XI featured familiar faces: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, countered with a lineup designed to capitalize on their regained momentum, with Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips among their key players.

India’s innings was a masterclass in T20 batting fireworks. Ishan Kishan, in particular, put on a show to remember. The left-hander blazed his way to a scintillating 103 off just 43 balls, peppering the boundary ropes and clearing them with equal ease. His knock was the backbone of India’s mammoth total, and it set the tone for the rest of the lineup. Suryakumar Yadav, never one to shy away from the big occasion, hammered 63 from 30 deliveries, while Hardik Pandya added late-innings muscle with a rapid-fire 42 off 17 balls. Abhishek Sharma contributed a brisk 30 off 16 before being bowled, and although Sanju Samson was dismissed cheaply for the fifth consecutive time in the series, the home crowd cheered him on—this being his first international appearance at his home ground in Trivandrum.

By the end of their 20 overs, India had posted a daunting 271 for 5. The Greenfield pitch, renowned for favoring batsmen, certainly lived up to its reputation, but even so, the total was imposing by any standard. The Indian camp, led by Suryakumar, huddled with visible energy as they prepared to defend the score, determined to end the series on a high note and erase the memories of the previous game’s defeat.

New Zealand’s reply began on a shaky note as Tim Seifert fell in the opening over, but what followed was nothing short of explosive. Finn Allen, unfazed by the early setback, launched a blistering counterattack. He raced to a half-century in just 22 balls, his sixth in T20 internationals, timing and power on full display as he dispatched the Indian bowlers to all corners of the ground. Rachin Ravindra provided solid support, and by the end of the Powerplay, the Kiwis had already outscored India at the same stage—New Zealand stood at 79/1 after six overs, compared to India’s 54/2.

Allen’s onslaught included a flurry of boundaries and towering sixes, one memorable strike sailing over deep square leg without him even bothering to watch its trajectory. The partnership between Allen and Ravindra kept New Zealand’s hopes alive, and at 7.6 overs, the scoreboard read an impressive 105/1. The required run rate was steep, but with wickets in hand and Allen in such form, the chase was anything but over. The Indian bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy, tried to stem the flow of runs, but Allen’s aggressive intent made it a gripping contest.

Throughout the chase, the atmosphere was electric, with Suryakumar Yadav seen rallying his troops, urging them to maintain their intensity. Jasprit Bumrah, India’s ace quick, was brought in for a solitary over during the Powerplay, but it was clear that the Indian strategy was to keep their options open and test various combinations—a nod to the broader goal of World Cup preparation. The field placements, bowling changes, and even the animated discussions between overs highlighted the tactical chess match unfolding on the field.

The narrative of the match was as much about individual brilliance as it was about team strategy. Kishan’s century was a statement of intent, a reminder to selectors and opponents alike that India’s batting firepower runs deep. For New Zealand, Allen’s rapid fifty was a beacon of hope, suggesting that their top order could indeed go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. The absence of some Indian regulars underscored the depth of their squad, a luxury not lost on observers as the World Cup approached.

Off the field, the significance of the contest was not lost on either camp. Both teams viewed this as their final dress rehearsal before the global tournament. For India, the chance to test fringe players and experiment with combinations was invaluable. For New Zealand, the opportunity to build on their morale-boosting win in the fourth T20 and to chase a daunting target against a quality attack was exactly the kind of challenge they craved.

With the match still in progress as of press time, the outcome hung tantalizingly in the balance. Could New Zealand pull off a record chase and take home some consolation, or would India’s bowlers rise to the occasion and seal the series with authority? One thing was certain: fans were witnessing a contest worthy of a series finale, with both teams leaving nothing to chance as they geared up for the T20 World Cup’s opening day.

As the lights burned bright in Trivandrum, the cricketing world watched on, knowing that tonight’s lessons could very well shape the fortunes of these two sides when the stakes are even higher next week.