HOME NEWS BUSINESS MOVIES CRICKET SPORTS GET AHEAD REDIFF-TV

Follow Rediff on:

11:21

No expectations, but...: Priyanka Gandhi on budget

11:10

Woman who urged Hizbul commander son to surrender dies

10:48

Delhi records 12.1 deg C, light rain possible

10:23

Trump continues to give us...: Cong's dig at Modi govt

10:03

Stock markets fluctuate in narrow range ahead of budget

09:48

Budget 2026: Sitharaman meets President Murmu

09:19

FM flaunts 'bahi-khata' before presenting her 9th budget

09:03

India will buy Venezuelan oil instead of Iran: Trump

09:00

Firing outside film maker Rohit Shetty's Mumbai residence

08:53

Govt likely to present Rs 54.1L cr budget for FY27: Report

5th T20I Updates: India crush NZ by 46 runs, seal series 4-1

Sat, 31 January 2026

Refresh

22:34

India crush NZ by 46 runs, seal series 4-1

NZ 225 all out (19.4 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

India sealed the series 4-1 in emphatic style, outclassing New Zealand with another dominant, all-round performance to finish on a high.

Chasing a daunting total, New Zealand found brief hope in Finn Allen's blistering 80 off 38, but his dismissal drained the momentum.

India struck relentlessly thereafter, keeping the visitors under constant pressure.

Arshdeep Singh starred with a five-wicket haul, Axar Patel backed him with three, as Team India cruised to a clinical 46-run victory.

22:31

India crush NZ by 46 runs, seal series 4-1

NZ 225 all out (19.4 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Rinku Singh is trusted with the final over. Duffy flicks the first ball to long-on for a single before Sodhi keeps fighting, launching a massive six to delay the inevitable. He then cuts one straight to point for no run. Moments later, Sodhi holes out and Arshdeep settles comfortably under it to complete the catch, ending his spirited cameo of 33 off 15 balls.

That's the final blow -- India wrap it up in style, sealing a comprehensive 46-run victory.

22:27

Arshdeep shines, bags five-wicket haul

NZ 218-9 (19 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Abhishek Sharma is handed the ball for the penultimate over. Sodhi starts with a couple, and Rinku does well in the deep, charging across to palm the ball back and save two runs. Sodhi then dances down the track and launches a six into the stands. India review an lbw shout, but there's nothing on UltraEdge and Hawk-Eye shows it missing leg -- it's given as a leg bye. Duffy drives to long-on for one, and Sodhi adds a couple more to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Fourteen runs come off the over as New Zealand move to 218-9 after 19 overs, still needing a steep 54 from the final six balls.

22:23

Arshdeep shines, bags five-wicket haul

NZ 204-9 (18 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Axar Patel comes into the attack, and new batter Lockie Ferguson gets off the mark with a single. A few more singles are exchanged before Ish Sodhi steps up, smashing a massive six and following it with a single. Ferguson charges down the track but misses, beaten by a straighter delivery, and is bowled. The over yields 10 runs and a wicket, leaving New Zealand reeling at 191-9 after 17 overs.

Bumrah continues, and Sodhi punishes the first ball with a boundary, then takes a single. New batter Duffy starts with a couple of runs, followed by singles from both him and Sodhi. Duffy ends the over with a boundary, adding 13 runs. NZ reach 204-9, needing 68 from just 12 balls.

22:15

Arshdeep shines, bags five-wicket haul

NZ 181-8 (16 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Arshdeep returns to wreak havoc! Jamieson hits back-to-back boundaries but soon miscues an under-edge, smashing into the stumps to depart for 9 off 5 balls. New batter Ish Sodhi gets off the mark with a single, but the heroics continue -- Arshdeep delivers a perfect yorker outside off, and Mitchell attempts a reverse sweep, only to drag it onto his stumps.

He's gone for 26 off 12 balls, giving Arshdeep a brilliant five-wicket haul!

22:09

Varun's googly rocks NZ, Jacobs out

NZ 171-6 (15 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Varun continues, and a sharp googly takes out the middle stump! Jacobs departs for 7 off 11 balls, caught completely off guard as the ball spun back. Kyle Jamieson walks in, right-handed. He misses a flick, and leg byes are called. Kishan fumbles a chance but manages a single off the next ball. Jamieson swings across the line, and the inside edge deflects off his pads toward short fine leg -- neither SKY nor the keeper can stop it. The over ends with just a couple of runs.

Five runs and a wicket from the 15th over leave New Zealand at 171-6.

22:04

Arshdeep rocks New Zealand

NZ 166-5 (14 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Varun Chakravarthy comes into the attack with a tricky googly. A simple chance comes Abhishek's way, but he drops it. Kishan swings and misses, and the ball races to the boundary. Two more singles follow to end the over. Six runs come off it after 13 overs, NZ 144/5.

Bumrah is back, starting with a good yorker. Mitchell smashes it over the ropes for four, then follows it up with back-to-back sixes! A yorker next, but he nudges it for a single. Jacobs finishes the over with a boundary and a single.

A massive 22 runs come off the 14th over, NZ 166/5.

21:58

Arshdeep rocks New Zealand

NZ 138-5 (12 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Bumrah is back in the attack, and Rachin welcomes him with a towering six, followed by a single. New batter Glenn Phillips steps in and starts with a boundary, then takes a single. India finish the over strongly with 14 runs; New Zealand are 131-2 after 10 overs.

Axar Patel continues and strikes immediately, dismissing Phillips as he skies one to long-on. Rinku Singh takes a safe catch, and Phillips departs for 7 off 6 balls. Daryl Mitchell joins Rachin at the crease and gets off the mark with a single, while Rachin nudges one for another single. Mitchell then smashes a boundary, but the over ends with 6 runs and a wicket; NZ are 137-3 after 13 overs.

Arshdeep returns with the ball and delivers a crucial knuckle ball that does the trick. Ravindra drags across a top-edged pull, and Axar Patel takes a tidy catch at deep-backward square; Rachin departs for 30 off 17 balls. Santner comes in next but lasts only a short while, ducking under a bouncer and edging it to SKY at cover.

India celebrate as New Zealand are now five down.

Jacobs is the new batter. he defends two and then ends the over with a single. Just one run and two wickets came off it.

21:54

Axar strikes, Allen out for 80

NZ 117-2 (9 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Varun Chakravarthy continues, and Allen keeps the strike, cutting to point for a single. Rachin skies one but lands safely. No chance for SKY. Rachin adds another single to keep the momentum. Allen responds in style, smashing a huge six before taking a single, and Rachin ends the over with another maximum. A massive 17 runs come off it as New Zealand reach 105-1 after 8 overs.

Axar Patel comes back into the attack. A missed stumping allows Allen to capitalize, hitting a boundary, followed by another four. The batters rotate the strike with a few singles, keeping the scoreboard ticking. But Axar strikes soon after, breaking the 100-run partnership as Rinku Singh takes a simple catch. Allen departs for a scintillating 80 off 38 balls.

Nine overs gone, 12 runs and a wicket, with New Zealand needing 155 from 66 balls.

21:37

Allen in red-hot form

NZ 88-1 (7 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Bumrah comes into the attack, and Allen opens with a massive six before following it with a single to cover. A wide is called, which Kishan smartly converts into a single. Ten runs from the over leave New Zealand at 66-1 after 5.

Varun Chakravarthy takes over. Allen is beaten but responds with a boundary on the next ball, then clears the ropes for a huge six. He adds a single to long-on, and Rachin finishes the over with a couple of runs. Thirteen from the over brings NZ to 79-1 after 6.

Axar Patel enters the attack, and Allen greets him with another huge six. Singles are exchanged, and nine come off the over, leaving New Zealand 88-1. They now need 184 from 78 balls.

21:15

Quick 50 comes up for NZ

NZ 56-1 (4 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Hardik continues. Rachin greets him with a boundary, bringing up NZ's 50. He punches to cover for no run, followed by a dot ball. Rachin then drives to long-on for four, and nudges to point for a single. A leg bye is added next. Allen mistimes a shot and only gets one.

Ten runs come off the over, leaving New Zealand at 56-1 after 4 overs.

21:11

Allen smashes 23 runs off Arshdeep's over

NZ 46-1 (3 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Arshdeep keeps the attack tight, but Rachin nudges a single. Allen takes charge, driving for two consecutive boundaries before launching a massive six high into the stands. A slower ball races to the fence for four more to finish the over.

A storming 23 runs come off it, and after three overs, New Zealand sit at 46 for 1.

21:10

Seifert out early as Arshdeep strikes in 1st over

NZ 23-1 (2 Ovs) vs India 271-5 | SCORECARD

Ishan Kishan takes the gloves, a key sign ahead of the World Cup, as Arshdeep bowls.

Tim Seifert and Allen walk out to bat, with Seifert on strike. Seifert gets off the mark with a crisp boundary, then nudges one for a single. Allen responds with back-to-back boundaries before taking an easy single. On a tricky pull, Allen misses, and Kishan leaps to get fingers on it. Hardik finishes the chance, and Seifert departs for 5 off 3 balls.

The over yields 17 runs and a wicket -- a dramatic start to New Zealand's chase.

Hardik bowls the next over, and Allen wastes no time, smashing a huge six. After that, he plays cautiously, defending the remaining deliveries. A new ball is called after some wear on the old one. After two overs, New Zealand are 23 for 1.

20:47

42-ball Kishan ton steers India to 271/5

India 271-5 (20 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

India's batting display was pure fireworks. Abhishek Sharma got things off to a flying start, but Sanju Samson once again struggled.

Enter Ishan Kishan. The left-hander launched a brutal counterattack, punishing the New Zealand bowlers to all corners of the ground and swinging momentum firmly India's way.

Suryakumar Yadav too soon joined the assault, smashing successive sixes to reach his fifty. Kishan kept the carnage going, racing to a scintillating 42-ball century before finally departing.

For New Zealand, it was a night to forget -- chasing 272 will be a monumental challenge.

20:44

42-ball Kishan ton steers India to 271/5

India 271-5 (20 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Ferguson returns to the attack. Rinku nudges one through cover for a single, and Hardik takes a single as well. Rinku then sends one racing to the boundary, followed by another quick single. Hardik responds with a huge six and adds another single to end the over. Nineteen overs are done, and India are 250-4.

Jamieson comes back for the final over. A wide first ball rolls away for four! Hardik launches a massive six off the next delivery, but a slower ball gets him this time -- Jacobs holds his nerve.

Hardik departs for 42 off 17 balls. India are 261-5.

Dube walks in and gets off the mark with a single. Rinku swings and misses. A short ball comes next -- Rinku tries to cut but sends it straight to the bowler. A wide is called, followed by a high full toss -- no ball! Dube makes the most of the free hit, smashing it for a huge six to take India to 271. The over goes for 21 runs and a wicket.

20:32

Kishan's blazing 103 ends

India 236-4 (18 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Duffy returns to the attack and Hardik wastes no time, launching him high into the stands for a massive six. He follows it with a single to keep the strike moving. Kishan then looks to go big again but doesn't quite middle it -- holes out to Glenn Phillips at deep square leg. The New Zealand players applaud as he walks back after a breathtaking knock of 103 off just 43 balls. A superb innings comes to an end.

Rinku Singh is the new batter. He swings hard first up but misses, before getting off the mark with a single. A couple more runs to finish the over. Ten runs and a wicket from it -- after 18 overs, India are 236-4.

20:25

Kishan smashes maiden T20I ton in style

India 226-3 (17 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Santner continued but there was no stopping the onslaught. Hardik Pandya set the tone, smoking a six down the ground, then cutting the next ball to deep cover for a couple. A cracking boundary followed before he rotated strike. Then it was all Ishan Kishan. Seeing it like a football, he smashed back-to-back sixes and brought up a stunning hundred off just 42 balls -- his maiden T20 international ton. The crowd erupted as he soaked it in, bat raised high.

A massive 25-run over powered India to 226-3 after 17 overs.

20:21

200 comes up for India

India 201-3 (16 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Jamieson returned to the attack with India already motoring along. Hardik Pandya started confidently, driving towards the ropes, but Allen did well at long-off to save a couple. A quick single followed, then a wide to add to New Zealand's frustration. And then a moment they'll want to forget -- Glenn Phillips spilled a sitter, something you rarely see from him. The miss proved costly as Kishan made the most of the reprieve, launching the next ball for six. He rotated strike with a single, another wide crept in, and Hardik flicked one to long-off. Kishan had one wild swing and miss to end the over.

Thirteen runs came off it as India surged to 201-3 after 16 overs.

20:14

Santner breaks SKY-Kishan stand

India 188-3 (15 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Mitchell Santner brought himself into the attack and immediately slowed things down. Kishan cut one deep for a single before SKY broke the shackles, launching a towering six into the stands. But Santner outfoxed him with flight and width -- SKY swung hard, missed completely, and Seifert whipped off the bails in a flash. A brisk, entertaining knock came to an end as SKY departed for 63 off 30 balls.

Hardik Pandya walked in next and got off the mark with a single. Kishan kept the board ticking with another, and Hardik nudged the last ball away for one more. Ten runs and a key wicket from the over.

After 15 overs, India are 188-3.

20:09

SKY, Kishan hammer quick fifties

India 178-2 (14 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Lockie Ferguson returns to the attack, still New Zealand's only wicket-taker on the night. SKY nudges a single to midwicket before Kishan continues his onslaught, launching a towering six and rotating strike with ease. Ferguson then beats SKY with pace, even knocking him down briefly. A beamer follows -- called a no-ball -- and the free hit is duly punished as it races to the boundary. India collect 14 from the over to move to 155-2 after 13.

Duffy comes back but misses his lengths straightaway. A wayward yorker is smashed for four, and SKY shifts gears. He drills one straight down the ground for six, then clears the ropes again to bring up a sparkling 26-ball fifty. The timing is effortless now. A swing and miss is quickly forgotten as he finishes the over with another maximum.

A massive 23-run over powers India to 178-2 after 14 overs.

20:05

Kishan's 28-ball fifty powers India

India 141-2 (12 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Kyle Jamieson returned to the attack with India already in full flow. SKY worked him around calmly for a single, while Kishan took a moment to settle after being beaten first up. A mistimed stroke from SKY nearly found the deep, but Lockie Ferguson did well on the rope to cut it off. Then came the statement -- Kishan launched one cleanly over the ropes, a towering six that no fielder was stopping. Ten runs came from the over as India moved to 112/2 after 11.

Ish Sodhi's return only fuelled the charge. A wide to start, and Kishan sensed opportunity. He cracked a boundary to bring up a sparkling fifty off just 28 balls, raising his bat to a roaring crowd, then followed it with another four. Fortune smiled too -- a missed stumping and fumble behind the stumps ran away to the fence. But the rest was pure timing and intent. Kishan danced down the track to smoke a massive six, unfurled a clever reverse sweep for four, and then cleared the ropes again with those lightning-quick hands. It was fearless, free-flowing batting.

Sodhi's over disappeared for 29 runs as India raced to 141/2 after 12 overs.

19:49

Kishan, SKY power India past 100

India 102-2 (10 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Mitchell Santner brings himself into the attack. Kishan taps it back to the bowler, then nudges one to point for a single. SKY works one to long-off and the pair rotate strike with a few more singles. Just five from the over as India move to 69/2 after eight.

Ish Sodhi continues and Kishan breaks the shackles, launching a massive six. He follows it with a single to deep cover. SKY cuts to point for no run, then drives past the bowler for one. Kishan miscues but survives for a single before SKY finishes the over with a boundary. Thirteen off it -- India 82/2 after nine.

Santner returns and the runs flow. Kishan flicks to long-on for one and wisely turns down the second. SKY then clears the ropes with a clean six and takes a single. Kishan charges down the track, drills a four through the off side, and smashes another six. A couple more to end the over as India race past the 100 mark. Twenty from the over -- India 102/2 after 10.

Kishan 39 (23), SKY 27 (15). Drinks taken.

19:34

Ferguson ends Abhishek's 30-run blitz

India 54-2 (7 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Ish Sodhi is introduced into the attack. Kishan sweeps to deep square leg for a single. SKY defends a couple before cracking a crisp boundary and rotating strike. Kishan blocks out the last ball. Six runs come off the over as India finish the powerplay at 54/2.

Glenn Phillips comes on next. SKY and Kishan keep the board ticking with singles. SKY swings and misses once but makes amends in style -- launching one high and deep for six. Ten runs from the over as India move to 64/2 after seven.

19:26

Ferguson ends Abhishek's 30-run blitz

India 48-2 (5 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Duffy continues. Abhishek taps one into the off side for a single. Kishan sends the next straight back to the bowler. A slower ball follows and Kishan can only guide it to fine leg for no run before nudging one to square leg for a single. Abhishek hesitates but wisely leaves the next. He finishes the over in style with a boundary. Six from it -- India move to 37-1 after four overs.

Ferguson returns. Kishan swings and misses first up, then crashes the next to the fence. A slower ball is punished as he launches it over the ropes for six, followed by a single. Abhishek is beaten next ball. Ferguson goes quicker -- bowled him! Abhishek departs for a brisk 30 off 16. Big wicket. India are 48-2 after five overs.

19:17

Samsons early exit stuns Thiruvananthapuram crowd

India 31-1 (3 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Ferguson is brought in the attack. Samson nudges one to long-on for no run, then drives off the back foot through cover for a single. Abhishek survives a scare and takes another single. Disaster strikes next ball -- a mishit from Samson lands in Jacobs' hands at deep third man. He departs for 6 off 6, and the stadium falls silent.

Ishan Kishan joins Abhishek and calmly defends the last ball of the third over. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over -- what a superb, tense passage of play! India are 31-1 after 3 overs.

19:11

India off to a flier

India 29-0 (2 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

All eyes are on Sanju Samson as he walks out with Abhishek Sharma. Samson is set to play his first international game at this stadium. For the second time this series, India will bat first.

Duffy takes the new ball and runs in. One slip is in place, and we're off! Abhishek starts cautiously, nudging the first ball to backward point for no run. But he quickly gets into rhythm -- a massive SIX to deep extra cover, then another over the rope using the pace, followed by a crisp boundary down the track. 14 runs off the first over!

Samson faces Jamieson amid the roaring crowd. He nudges a push to covers, no run. Under pressure, he edges one cheekily to the boundary. Takes a single, every run cheered by the home crowd. Abhishek continues to find gaps, racing to 18 off 7 balls. He swings, misses, then finishes the over with another six.

After two overs, India are flying at 29-0, with Abhishek dealing in boundaries and Samson settling in nicely.

18:39

Here are the playing XIs

Here are the playing XIs

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (W), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (W), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

18:36

India win toss, opt to bat vs NZ

It's toss time in Thiruvananthapuram!

SKY wins the toss and the skipper has elected to bat first and assured fans, 'Axar comes back, Ishan comes back, and one more... don't worry, Thiruvananthapuram, Sanju Samson is playing tonight!'

Meanwhile, Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner confirmed four changes- Allen in for Conway, Neesham for Chapman, KJ and Lockie join the XI.

17:43

Hometown hero Samson must rediscover form

Hello and welcome to the coverage of the fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sanju Samson will be hoping the roar of his home crowd can lift him as India finish their T20 World Cup preparations against New Zealand on Saturday.

The talented opener has been through a lean patch, with technical glitches in his batting -- a heavy back-foot and uneven bat swing affecting his confidence. With a coveted opening spot at the World Cup on the line, there's no room for the slump to continue.

But at the Greenfield Stadium, surrounded by adoring fans in his hometown, Samson might just find the rhythm, timing, and belief that make him such a vital player for India.

5th T20I Updates: India crush NZ by 46 runs, seal series 4-1

TOP STORIES