5th T20I: New Zealand opt to bowl; Bhuvneshwar, Varun return for India
Synopsis
After losing four straight tosses, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner finally called it right and chose to bowl in the 5th and final T20I at Seddon Park. The key subplot: Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakravarthy are back in India's XI — with Bhuvneshwar reportedly delivering a stirring huddle speech ahead of what is his last chance to make a mark on the tour.
Key Takeaways
Mitchell Santner won his first toss of the series in the 5th T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 1 November 2026 and elected to bowl.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakravarthy return to India's XI; Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel miss out.
Blair Tickner replaces Matt Fisher as New Zealand's sole change.
Varun Chakravarthy returns from an abdominal side strain that kept him out of the Japan T20I and Asian Games.
India hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series heading into the final rubber.
Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains on the bench for this match.
Mitchell Santner finally ended his toss drought — winning his first coin flip of the five-match series — and promptly chose to bowl, sending India in to bat first in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Sunday, 1 November 2026. India enter the dead-rubber decider with an unassailable 3-1 series lead, having sealed the rubber after winning the first three games.
Team Changes and Returning Faces
India made two changes to the side that fell in the fourth match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakravarthy have been recalled, with Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel dropping out. New Zealand also rotated their personnel, bringing Blair Tickner back into the XI at the expense of Matt Fisher.
Bhuvneshwar had been left out of the previous match after a modest run across three T20Is in the series. Chakravarthy's return is more significant — the wrist-spinner missed India's one-off T20I against Japan and the Asian Games after picking up an abdominal side strain during the Afghanistan series. His recovery and recall add variety to India's bowling attack for this final game.
Notably, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remained on the bench. He featured in only two matches this series, having originally come in as cover for the then-injured Ishan Kishan.
What Santner Said at the Toss
'I just assumed I'd lose the toss. We'll have a bowl. Obviously a new pitch. Might be a little bit of dew later. Have to adapt quickly to the dimensions. If there's a bit of bounce like Eden Park, it will be nice. Obviously, with the bat, we've been good this whole series. Was obviously a bit more in the wicket the other night which was nice for the seamers. One change. Tickner is back,' Santner said.
Shreyas Iyer's Reaction
India captain Shreyas Iyer said the side was looking to bat regardless of the toss outcome. 'Great occasion to come here on this historical ground. We were looking to bat, wanted to test ourselves batting first. Auckland, the dimensions were different,' he said.
Iyer also paid tribute to Glenn Phillips for his match-winning knock in the fourth T20I — 'credit where it's due, Phillips played an incredible knock' — before noting that Bhuvneshwar was fired up for his chance: 'He's been waiting for his opportunity and even in the huddle he gave a beautiful speech today.'
Series Context and Playing XIs
India lead 3-1 with one match remaining. New Zealand pulled one back in the fourth rubber to avoid a whitewash, and both sides will be keen to finish the series strongly at Seddon Park.
New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner.
India XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
With Bhuvneshwar motivated and Chakravarthy back from injury, India's bowling looks more layered heading into this final outing — and all eyes will be on whether the visitors can wrap up the series with a fourth victory.
Point of View
But as a form opportunity. Bhuvneshwar's mixed numbers this series make his recall a gamble; if he fires at Seddon Park, it strengthens his case for future white-ball squads. Chakravarthy's return from injury is the bigger story: if the wrist-spinner looks sharp, it has implications well beyond this series. The Sooryavanshi exclusion, meanwhile, keeps the teenager in a holding pattern at a time when meaningful game time at international level matters more than carrying the drinks.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the 5th T20I between India and New Zealand?
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss in the 5th T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 1 November 2026 — his first toss win of the series — and elected to bowl first. India were thus asked to bat.
What changes did India make for the 5th T20I?
India brought back Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakravarthy, with Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel dropping out of the playing XI for the final T20I.
Why did Varun Chakravarthy miss earlier matches?
Varun Chakravarthy missed India's one-off T20I against Japan and the Asian Games due to an abdominal side strain he sustained during the Afghanistan series. He has now recovered and returned for the 5th T20I.
What is the current series scoreline between India and New Zealand?
India lead the five-match T20I series 3-1 heading into the final match. India won the first three games to seal the series, while New Zealand pulled one back in the fourth rubber.
Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing in the 5th T20I?
No, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains on the bench for the 5th T20I. The teenager played in only two matches of the series, having originally come in as cover for the injured Ishan Kishan.
