IND vs NZ 2026: Why is Harshit Rana not playing in 5th T20I?
The series is currently standing at 3-1 in India's favour.
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India are batting first in the fifth and final T20I of the series against New Zealand at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday, January 31. The hosts made three changes to their playing XI for the encounter from their previous clash in Visakhapatnam. On the other hand, New Zealand, too, made a solid four changes in a game where they are playing for pride and confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Toss Update
The coin toss went in favour of India, as the Men in Blue skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the side's decision to bat first. Meanwhile, it was further announced that Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, and Varun Chakravarthy made their way into the playing XI. The visiting side, on the other hand, made four changes with James Neesham, Finn Allen, Kyle Jamieson, and Lockie Ferguson making their way back into the squad.
Why did Harshit Rana miss out on playing in IND vs NZ 5th T20I?
Since the Indians have a lot of pure all-rounders in their line-up, they opted to go without the services of Harshit Rana, who had to make way for Ishan Kishan coming into the line-up. Meanwhile, India are also missing Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, who made their spots vacant for Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, respectively.
IND vs NZ: What did the captains say?
Suryakumar Yadav, India captain
We are going to bat first. We were here last night; there was a lot of dew, and we want to test ourselves. The groundsman says it is going to be true for 40 overs. Axar comes back, Ishan comes back and one more. Don't worry Thiruvananthapuram, Sanju Samson is playing tonight. We are waiting for him (Tilak Varma). We have almost covered all the departments; every game we learn something and take it forward.
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand captain
It might not be too dewy tonight. We have got four changes – Finn Allen in for Devon Conway, James Neesham is in for Mark Chapman, and Kyle Jamieson and Lockie Ferguson are in. It is always nice to have them back. And it is an opportunity to see what they have got.
Playing XIs
India
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand
Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
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