NZ vs IND 5th T20I 2026 LIVE Updates: New Zealand opt to bowl

New Zealand reached 109/2 in 11 overs while chasing India's target of 192 in the fifth T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The hosts need another 83 runs from 54 balls, with the required run rate standing at 9.22.

Tim Seifert is leading New Zealand's chase with an impressive 65 off 39 deliveries, including five fours and five sixes, at a strike rate of 166.67. His aggressive batting has kept New Zealand in the hunt for the 192-run target.

Glenn Phillips is unbeaten on eight off eight balls, with one four, as New Zealand look to maintain the momentum. The pair are at the crease after New Zealand lost two wickets in the opening 11 overs.

For India, Arshdeep Singh has taken one wicket while conceding 14 runs in two overs. Abhishek Sharma has bowled the latest over, which cost 13 runs, including a six by Seifert and a four by Glenn Phillips earlier in the over.

New Zealand's position gives them a platform for the final nine overs, but they still need to sustain their scoring rate while protecting their remaining wickets. India, meanwhile, will look to break the partnership and slow the chase as the match progresses.

India posted 191/8 in 20 overs against New Zealand, with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer delivering the standout performances with the bat. Kishan scored 61 off 32 balls, including five fours and five sixes, while Iyer contributed 50 off just 23 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes.

Kishan provided a major contribution to India's total with an aggressive innings at a strike rate of 190.62. Iyer was even more explosive, scoring at a strike rate of 217.39 before being dismissed by Nathan Smith, with Tim Seifert taking the catch.

Naman Dhir added valuable runs in the middle order, scoring 33 off 23 balls, including four boundaries and one six. Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed 22 off 17 deliveries, striking two fours and one six, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar made six off four balls.

India's innings got off to a difficult start as Sanju Samson scored four off 10 deliveries before being caught by Michael Bracewell off Adam Milne. Abhishek Sharma followed for one off two balls, caught by Daryl Mitchell off the same bowler.

Tilak Varma scored six off eight deliveries before Nathan Smith dismissed him through a caught-and-bowled effort. Smith also removed Iyer and finished with two wickets, conceding 28 runs in three overs, including one no-ball.

New Zealand's most successful bowler was Adam Milne, who claimed four wickets for 19 runs in his four overs. Blair Tickner took two wickets for 38 runs, while Nathan Smith also finished with two wickets. Jacob Duffy conceded 27 runs in three overs without taking a wicket.

India collected seven runs through extras, including one bye, one leg-bye, four wides and one no-ball. Prince Yadav remained unbeaten on zero off one ball, while Arshdeep Singh was not out on one off one delivery. Varun Chakravarthy was listed as yet to bat.

India's total of 191/8 was built around the attacking contributions of Kishan and Iyer, supported by useful middle-order runs from Dhir and Reddy. Milne's four-wicket spell was New Zealand's most effective bowling performance in the innings.

Nitish Kumar Reddy departs as Glenn Phillips takes an easy catch at deep mid-wicket off Adam Milne. Reddy fails to get underneath the delivery while attempting a flick, and the mistimed shot goes straight to Phillips.

India are 185/7 after 19.2 overs, scoring at 9.57 runs per over.

Naman Dhir departs for 33 off 23 balls after Michael Bracewell takes a fine catch at extra-cover off Blair Tickner. Bracewell runs backwards and dives forward to complete the catch with both hands. Tickner celebrates the breakthrough by pulling out a card featuring a fire icon.

India have hit 400 sixes in 40 T20Is in 2026, becoming the first team to reach the milestone. Of those, 142 sixes have come against New Zealand, the most India have hit against any single opponent in a calendar year.

Our Correspondent Baber Nafice, india should look to score 45 more runs from 17 runs