Hamilton:India could make changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final T20 International against New Zealand on Sunday, November 1, as Shreyas Iyer’s team look to finish the series on a positive note after suffering a heavy defeat in Auckland.
India have already secured the five-match series with a 3-1 lead. However, the 87-run defeat in the fourth T20I has brought the team’s batting and bowling combinations under scrutiny ahead of the final game at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
One of the major selection questions concerns teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The left-handed opener could return to the playing XI after missing the previous match, while the team management may also consider changes to its spin and pace departments.
The match is scheduled to begin at 12.30 pm IST. The playing XI will be confirmed at the toss, and the combinations discussed ahead of the game remain predictions rather than official selections.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could return to the opening combination
Sooryavanshi’s possible return is among the biggest talking points ahead of the series finale. The youngster impressed during his earlier appearances, scoring 45 runs from 19 deliveries in the third T20I in Wellington.
His aggressive approach at the top of the order offers India another option in the powerplay. However, bringing him back would require the management to make a decision about the existing opening combination.
Sanju Samson has struggled for consistency during the series, with scores of 67, 14, 18 and 4 in his four innings. His recent returns could put his place under consideration, although the team management will also weigh his experience and role in the batting order.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has reportedly suggested a different way to accommodate Sooryavanshi: resting Abhishek Sharma rather than dropping Samson again. That would allow the teenager to return without removing Samson from the XI.
The suggestion gives the selectors another possible combination to consider, particularly with India having already secured the series.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in contention
India’s spin combination is another area that could see changes.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy have yet to feature in the series. Both are available options if the management wants to strengthen the bowling attack, particularly after New Zealand scored heavily in the previous match.
Kuldeep’s ability to take wickets through the middle overs could be useful against New Zealand’s aggressive batters. Varun, meanwhile, offers a different style of spin and could also be considered depending on the team’s assessment of conditions at Hamilton.
Axar Patel’s returns have also been discussed after a difficult series. A change in the spin department could therefore provide an opportunity for one of the two specialist spinners.
India’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has indicated that Kuldeep and Varun are ready to play whenever the team requires them. Whether either gets a chance in the final match will depend on the balance the management wants.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s place under scrutiny
The pace attack could also be reviewed following India’s defeat in Auckland.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken only one wicket across his three appearances in the series, conceding 139 runs at an economy rate of 11.58. His expensive performances have raised questions about whether he should retain his place for the final game.
Arshdeep Singh has been India’s most economical bowler in the series, with an economy rate below 10. Mayank Yadav also made an impact in the fourth T20I, taking three wickets.
The management could consider retaining the younger pace options while assessing whether Bhuvneshwar needs a break. Prince Yadav is another option in the squad.
The decision will involve balancing experience, current form and the need to build a reliable bowling combination ahead of the upcoming ODI series.
India’s predicted playing XI for the fifth T20I
Based on the selection possibilities discussed in the build-up, one potential India combination could be:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper)
- Shreyas Iyer (captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mayank Yadav
This is a possible combination, not a confirmed playing XI. Samson could still feature in place of Sooryavanshi, while the team may also choose between Kuldeep and Varun or make changes to its pace attack.
The final selection will depend on the team’s assessment of the pitch, conditions and the balance between batting depth and specialist bowling options.
India aim to respond after Auckland defeat
New Zealand ended India’s winning run in the fourth T20I with an 87-run victory in Auckland. The hosts produced a strong batting performance, putting pressure on the Indian bowling attack before restricting the visitors in the chase.
The result gave New Zealand their first win of the series and added interest to the final match. India, despite having an unassailable 3-1 lead, will want to avoid ending the tour’s T20I leg with another defeat.
The final match also provides an opportunity to assess players and combinations before the five-match ODI series begins on November 4.
For India, the key decisions involve the opening pair, the use of specialist spinners and the composition of the pace attack. Sooryavanshi’s possible return will attract particular attention, but the final XI will only become clear when the teams are announced at the toss.