The toss went India’s way in Thiruvananthapuram and, with the series already wrapped up, Suryakumar Yadav asked his side to set a target. He admitted the decision was partly experimental: the coaches want the bowlers “under lights, under pressure, and probably under a bit of dew”. It is the last Twenty20 international for either team before they head to the World Cup, so there is just enough time for a final audition.
India have reverted to something close to their preferred XI. Ishan Kishan returns after sitting out the fourth match with a niggle, Axar Patel is fit again, and Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin replaces Ravi Bishnoi. Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav also make way. Only Tilak Varma, still easing back from injury, is missing from what many think will be the first-choice World Cup group.
New Zealand have shuffled their pack even more. Finn Allen, fresh from a prolific Big Bash season with Perth Scorchers, plays his first international since March last year. Bevon Jacobs is handed another chance in the middle order, while Kyle Jamieson and Lockie Ferguson add pace at either end of the innings. Devon Conway, Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes are rested; Matt Henry sits out with a minor twinge that captain Mitchell Santner described as “purely precautionary”.
Aakash Chopra, analysing the series on television, has enjoyed Shivam Dube’s quiet efficiency. “Dube a stealth fighter, flying under the radar,” he said, before adding, “No one acknowledges the kind of contributions Shivam Dube brings to the table,” Aakash Chopra says. Dube retains his place at number seven, offering another seam-bowling option.
Probable XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
With the series result settled, the match still matters: places on the plane to the Caribbean and USA are scarce, and a strong finish tonight could sway a selector’s notebook. Just don’t expect anyone to say that out loud.
