Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

NZ vs IND 5th T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs IND 5th T20 Dream11 | New Zealand vs India 5th T20I Preview Dream11 | NZ vs IND 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction Today

Imagine losing all three games in which you’ve scored 203, needed 9 off 6 and then 7 off 6.

After their latest Super Over defeat – their fourth in the past seven months – New Zealand may be wondering what they do next. It has raised significant questions as to whether they have the composure to seal the deal, as they risk becoming cricket’s “nearly men”, winning more hearts than they do big games.

India are likely to experiment further as they aim for a 5-0 clean sweep. If achieved, it will possibly be considered the least-dominant 5-0 series win in any format, ever. But, apart from key fielding issues, Virat Kohli’s men won’t mind too much, as the winning habit in a World T20 year is one to get used to.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Colin Munro became the first player to pass 400 runs in New Zealand-India T20Is. He averages 41.00 with a SR of 146.78.
• Munro is second with 163 runs in this series. In even better news for NZ, Munro has two hundreds and a half-century in five innings at Mount Maunganui, with an average of 61.40 and SR of 193.
• Tim Seifert is clearly a top order player in T20Is. His 57 (39) swung the game in New Zealand’s favour in Wellington.
• Martin Guptill’s 98 runs in four innings this series has been disappointing. However, he enjoys playing at this ground: 4 matches, 182 runs, avg. 45.50, SR: 152.94, 3 fifties.
• KL Rahul has had a fine series. He currently leads the run-scoring list with 179, with two fifties in four innings. Also, KL’s lowest score is 27 in his last seven innings (369 runs, avg. 61.50).
• It is likely one of Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma will be rested for this match. Both Kohli and Rohit have had excellent moments this series, despite not being at their best for the most part.
• Also, Kane Williamson could be rested further to aid his shoulder complaint. If he does play, he will be one to watch (as always), with 95 in 3rd T20I + 170 runs in six innings (avg. 34.00) at his home ground.
• India may rotate their bowlers as well, but if Shardul Thakur plays, he will have the chance to build on his man-of-the-match effort in Wellington.
• Hamish Bennett has been very expensive this series (econ. 10.66), but has five wickets in his last two games.
• Keep an eye out for who plays between Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. New Zealand could look to go hard in the middle overs, which can create wicket-taking opportunities.
• Ish Sodhi has the equal-most wickets this series (6) and in T20Is at Mount Maunganui (10).

Other Key Stats

• India had won one of five T20Is in New Zealand before this series. Now, they have won four straight.
• The team batting first has won each of the five completed games on this ground.
• The average first innings score in completed T20Is at the Bay Oval is 199.
• New Zealand have won four of five T20Is at Bay Oval.

Key to a New Zealand win

It has been some series for New Zealand. If they start well, then their finish isn’t great. The opposite applies if they start poorly, with their recovery efforts strong. However, the lack of calmness and composure has been remarkable in this series. To win here (and avoid more memes), they must hold their own in the crunch stages.

Also, can the Black Caps take regular wickets as they did in Wellington? India could look at resting key players again, so putting pressure on their middle order as soon as possible will be the order of the day.

Key to an India win

Despite their fielding, which remains a key issue, India have found ways to come out on top multiple times in this series. If they can take their chances and save more runs in the field, they have the opportunity to build pressure on a New Zealand side that has seemingly forgotten how to win.

Also, this is a great opportunity for the likes of Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey and possibly Rishabh Pant. Whoever gets the nod for the top six need to take this opportunity with both hands, as the pressure of a series is not relevant here.

Possible Playing 11

Along with Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill is in doubt after colliding with Scott Kuggeleijn in the field during the 4th T20I.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Tim Seifert (wk), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Bruce, 6. Daryl Mitchell, 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Scott Kuggleijn, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Hamish Bennett

According to ESPNCricinfo, Virat Kohli could be rested for India, with Rohit to lead the team. Also, Rishabh Pant could get a chance to play if India decide to rest KL Rahul.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Manish Pandey, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Navdeep Saini, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Mount Maunganui Pitch Report and Conditions

As mentioned, the average first innings score in completed T20Is on this ground is 199. Also, the pitch for the New Zealand-England Test late last year was flat, part of the tradition of this being a good batting ground.

The forecast for Mount Maunganui is 28 degrees and mostly sunny.

Dream11 Prediction

*Keep an eye out for final team lists.

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

This one could ultimately depend on what mood New Zealand are in when it comes to the crunch stages.

India, with their winning habit, could come out on top in a close match again.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!