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5th T20I | New Zealand vs India T20I Series 2026 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 1 November 2026
The players with the most to prove in the finale are Tim Seifert, who has 36 runs in the series, and India’s bowlers, who conceded 259/7 in the fourth game. India lead 3-1 after losing at Eden Park by 87 runs, so the last match at Seddon Park is about reputations rather than the trophy. Glenn Phillips remains the benchmark, with 276 runs from four games, and everyone else is measured against that standard, from the openers to the death bowlers.
New Zealand won the fourth T20I at Eden Park on 30 October by 87 runs. Their 259/7 was built on Phillips’ 107 and Bracewell’s 65, and India never got near it, finishing on 172/9 with Duffy taking 4/23. India still led the series 3-1.
India had settled the series in the first three games. They won the opener by four wickets, 230/6 against 225/4, and the second by the same margin, 181/6 against 180/5, before taking the third by six wickets. The heavy defeat in the fourth game is the first real dent in a dominant run.
Phillips is the series benchmark, with innings of 82 not out, 70, 17 and 107 adding up to 276 runs. Daryl Mitchell has 147 and Bevon Jacobs 135, which means the supporting runs are arriving. The weak link is at the top, where Seifert has managed 24, 7, 2 and 3 for 36 in total.
India’s pressure sits with the ball. Arshdeep Singh has five wickets and Mayank Yadav four, including 3/48 in the fourth game, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has three and Prince Yadav two. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has one wicket and was dropped after figures of 0/49, 1/50 and 0/40.
| Player | Team | Recent Form (Last 4 Innings) | Key Stat (Series Total) |
| Glenn Phillips | NZ | 82*, 70, 17, 107 | 276 runs |
| Daryl Mitchell | NZ | 28, 89*, 24, 6 | 147 runs |
| Bevon Jacobs | NZ | 31, 58, 39, 7 | 135 runs |
| Tim Seifert | NZ | 24, 7, 2, 3 | 36 runs |
| Arshdeep Singh | IND | 1/31, 2/35, 1/42, 1/38 | 5 wkts |
| Mayank Yadav | IND | 0/41, 1/36, 0/28, 3/48 | 4 wkts |
| Prince Yadav | IND | 1/30, 0/44, 1/49 | 2 wkts |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | IND | 0/40, 1/31, 1/38, 1/64 | 3 wkts |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | IND | 0/49, 1/50, 0/40, Dropped | 1 wkt |
Santner leads all bowlers in the series with nine wickets, a heavy return for a captain who also carries the tactical load. Duffy’s 4/23 in the fourth game lifted the total to four, level with Mayank Yadav. Axar has three for India, so the contest between the attacks is closer than the scoreline suggests.
India’s task is to find control again after conceding 259/7. Arshdeep Singh has conceded between 31 and 42 runs in every match while taking one or two wickets each time, which shows a bowler who is steady but rarely breaks an innings open.
India made two changes for the fourth game, with Kishan in for Sooryavanshi and Mayank in for Bhuvneshwar, and Iyer led a side built around Abhishek, Samson and Tilak at the top. New Zealand were captained by Santner and fielded Seifert, Allen, Mitchell and Phillips among a batting group that also included Jacobs and Bracewell.
The fifth XI will be confirmed at the toss, which leaves room for changes after an 87-run loss. India will weigh whether to stay with three quicks after conceding 259/7, while New Zealand have little reason to disturb a side that scored so freely.
Seddon Park has recently favoured big first-innings scores, with sides batting first averaging 189.6 over the last seven T20Is there recorded in March 2026, against 166.7 for chasing teams. The fifth match begins at 12:30 PM IST on 1 November, which is 8:00 PM local time in Hamilton.
With the series already decided, the NZ vs India T20I series 2026 key players are fighting for reputation and selection, not silverware. Phillips needs to keep scoring, Seifert needs runs, and India’s bowlers need an answer to the 259 they conceded. The side whose stars settle those personal scores first will leave Hamilton with the final word.
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Who is the leading wicket-taker in the New Zealand and India T20I series?
Mitchell Santner leads with nine wickets. Arshdeep Singh followed on five, then Duffy and Mayank Yadav on four apiece, and Axar on three.
Has India already won the T20I series against New Zealand?
Yes, India took the first three games and led the series 3-1. New Zealand’s 87-run win at Eden Park on 30 October only reduced the margin.
Where will the final T20I between New Zealand and India be played?
Seddon Park in Hamilton hosts the fifth and last T20I. The conditions there recently favoured batting first, with a first-innings average of 189.6.
What time does the fifth T20I start in India?
The match starts at 12:30 PM IST on 1 November. That equals 8:00 PM New Zealand time, an evening start for the crowd at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Who has scored the most runs in the series so far?
Glenn Phillips has 276 runs from four matches. Abhishek is next on 196, followed by Daryl Mitchell on 147, Bevon Jacobs on 135, and Allen on 132.
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