India and New Zealand head into the fifth and final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram with the series already decided but momentum still at stake. India lead the five match series 3-1 after dominating the first three games before New Zealand struck back in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam. In that match, New Zealand produced their most complete performance of the tour, posting 215 for 7 after being asked to bat. Tim Seifert led the charge with a fluent 62, while Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell provided crucial acceleration at the death. India’s chase never truly settled after early setbacks, despite a sensational counterattack from Shivam Dube and resistance from Rinku Singh. Mitchell Santner’s three wicket haul and disciplined bowling from Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi ensured a convincing 50 run victory for New Zealand. As the series reaches its finale, India will aim to reassert control and finish strongly, while New Zealand will look to build on their revival and close the tour with renewed confidence.

India Squad for T20I Series vs New Zealand

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravi Bishnoi.

New Zealand Squad for T20I Series vs India

Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi.

India Probable XI for the 5th T20I vs New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand Probable XI for the 5th T20I vs India

Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchel Santner ©, Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.

Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – Key Details

Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram stands out as one of India’s most modern cricket venues, combining scenic surroundings with high quality infrastructure. Located in Karyavattom, the stadium was inaugurated in 2015 and has since become a prominent destination for international cricket in Kerala. The venue is part of a multi purpose sports complex and features state of the art facilities, including advanced drainage systems, modern dressing rooms, training areas, and floodlights that support day night matches. With a seating capacity of around 50,000 spectators, the stadium offers an impressive atmosphere during international fixtures. Over the years, Greenfield Stadium has hosted ODIs, T20Is, and domestic matches, earning a reputation for competitive contests where conditions often challenge batters and reward disciplined bowling. The combination of coastal weather, humidity, and pitch characteristics makes Thiruvananthapuram a venue where adaptability and tactical awareness play a crucial role in determining match outcomes.

What Is the Pitch Like at Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is typically known for offering assistance to bowlers, especially in the early stages of a match. The surface generally provides bounce and seam movement for fast bowlers, making the powerplay overs challenging for batters. Early swing, combined with humidity in the air, often tests technique and shot selection, forcing batters to adopt a cautious approach before accelerating later in the innings.

As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into the contest. The surface offers grip and turn, allowing slower bowlers to control the middle overs and restrict scoring. However, dew in evening matches can reduce the effectiveness of spinners and make batting easier in the second innings. In T20Is, the average first innings score at this venue usually hovers around 155, indicating that totals above 170 are competitive but not easy to achieve. Historically, captains often prefer to bowl first, anticipating improved batting conditions later in the game.

Key Stats at Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Greenfield International Stadium has produced a series of low to moderate scoring T20I encounters, reflecting its bowler friendly nature. Although the number of T20Is played at this venue is limited, the available data highlights clear trends. The average first innings score ranges between 144 and 155, while second innings totals usually fall between 133 and 143, indicating that chasing is not always straightforward despite the presence of dew.

India’s highest total at this venue in T20Is remains 235 for 4 against Australia, which stands out as an exception rather than the norm. The highest successful chase is West Indies’ 173 for 2 against India, demonstrating that targets beyond 160 often require exceptional batting efforts. Across limited matches, teams batting first have won slightly more games than chasing sides, although the margin is narrow.

From a bowling perspective, fast bowlers have enjoyed greater success, particularly in the powerplay, with a significant share of wickets coming from pace. Spinners, while effective in controlling runs, have generally operated at a higher average compared to pacers. These statistics underline the importance of disciplined bowling and calculated batting at this venue.

IND vs NZ Weather Forecast: Will Rain Play a Role?

Weather conditions in Thiruvananthapuram for the fifth T20I are expected to remain clear and stable, with no significant threat of rain. January typically brings pleasant coastal weather to Kerala, with moderate temperatures and manageable humidity levels. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain in the mid twenties, while evening conditions should be slightly cooler, providing comfortable playing conditions for both teams.

Humidity is expected to be moderate to high, which could contribute to dew formation during the second innings. This factor often influences toss decisions, as captains may prefer to bowl first to take advantage of improved batting conditions later in the match. Wind speeds are expected to be light and unlikely to impact play significantly, while visibility should remain excellent throughout the match.

Overall, weather conditions are set to provide an ideal backdrop for uninterrupted cricket. With no rain forecast and stable atmospheric conditions, external factors are unlikely to disrupt the contest. Dew remains the only variable that could influence strategies, particularly in the latter half of the match.

India vs New Zealand: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?

The conditions at Greenfield International Stadium appear to slightly favor India, given their familiarity with similar surfaces and their balanced bowling attack. India’s pace bowlers are well equipped to exploit early movement, while their spinners can control the middle overs on a slowing surface. This combination gives India a tactical edge, especially if they can strike early with the ball.

India’s batting lineup also possesses the adaptability required to succeed in challenging conditions. Their ability to balance aggression with caution in the powerplay and accelerate later in the innings suits the nature of the pitch in Thiruvananthapuram. Moreover, their depth in batting provides insurance against early setbacks, which have proven costly for New Zealand in previous matches.

New Zealand, on the other hand, have shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled with consistency throughout the series. While their top order has the potential to exploit the powerplay, their middle order has often failed to capitalize on strong starts. Their bowling attack has also found it difficult to contain India’s aggressive batters, particularly in high pressure situations.

Although the pitch does not overwhelmingly favor one side, India’s overall balance, familiarity with conditions, and superior form across the series give them a slight advantage heading into the final match.

FAQs – Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

1. What is the pitch report for Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala?

The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium generally favors bowlers, especially fast bowlers in the early overs. As the match progresses, spinners gain assistance from the slowing surface. Dew in night matches can make batting easier in the second innings, but overall, the venue tends to produce low to moderate scoring games where disciplined bowling and calculated batting are crucial.

2. What are India’s and New Zealand records at Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala?

India have played multiple T20Is at this venue and have experienced mixed results, with both wins and losses reflecting the competitive nature of the surface. Their highest total at the ground remains 235 for 4 against Australia. New Zealand have limited experience at this venue, making the fifth T20I one of their rare appearances in Thiruvananthapuram. This lack of familiarity could influence their approach, especially in adapting to the pitch and conditions.

The post Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report: India vs New Zealand 5th T20I appeared first on Read.