India will weigh Sanju Samson’s form and Axar Patel’s fitness when they face New Zealand in the fifth and final T20 International at the Greenfield Stadium on Saturday, with the hosts keen to end their World Cup build-up on a winning note despite already sealing the series.
Samson, the local favourite, is expected to draw strong home support as he looks to rediscover rhythm after a lean run. While runs have dried up, the team management is more concerned about technical flaws that have crept into his batting, affecting confidence ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup starting February 7.
The wicketkeeper-batter remains a contender for a key opening slot at the global event, making the series finale a crucial opportunity. In Thiruvananthapuram, however, familiarity and fan backing could aid a turnaround.
India experimented in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam by fielding five specialist bowlers, leaving out all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. The move backfired as the hosts suffered their first defeat of the series, though the outcome did not affect India’s overall series victory.
The bowling combination could see changes again, with mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy in contention after being rested for the previous two matches.
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Axar Patel remains a concern after missing games since sustaining a finger injury in the opening T20I at Nagpur. The all-rounder bowled briefly in the nets ahead of the fourth match but is yet to return to competitive action. Ishan Kishan, a backup wicketkeeper-batter, also sat out the last match due to an unspecified injury.
India are unlikely to treat the fixture as a dead rubber, with momentum vital ahead of their World Cup opener in Mumbai. A 4-1 series win would further boost confidence in a squad already settled in most departments.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will aim to finish strongly after restricting India in Visakhapatnam by dismissing Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav early. The visitors will take encouragement from proving that the hosts are beatable.
The Greenfield Stadium is known for high scores, with India winning three of their four T20Is here. New Zealand have added firepower with opener Tim Seifert, while the availability of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will depend on fitness.
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