Sanju Samson's lean patch continues! He is gone for run-a-ball 6. The right-handed batter tried to go for a big one on the leg side, but ended up edging it to the fielder at backward point instead. 

Samson c Bevon Jacobs b Ferguson 6(6)

IND 31-1 (2.5)

Abhishek Sharma continues his carnage. This was a fuller one in the slot, and the southpaw smashes it over the mid‑on fielder for a biggie. Fifteen came off this over from Kyle Jamieson.

IND 29-0 (2)

A stunning first over this is for India! Abhishek Sharma, as always, starts off with a bang! He smashes Jacob Duffy for a six and two fours. India fetches a total of 14 off the over.

Abhishek Sharma takes the strike, Sanju Samson is at the other end. Jacob Duffy is ready with the new ball. Here we go... The Kiwi pacer starts with a fuller ball angling away from Abhishek. The batter swings his bat but fails to connect.

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

"It might not be too dewy tonight. We have got four changes - Allen in for Conway, Neesham is in for Chapman, KJ and Lockie are in. It is always nice to have them back. And it is an opportunity to see what they have got," said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

"We are going to bat first. We were here last night, there was a lot of dew and we want to test ourselves. The groundsman says it is going to be true for 40 overs. Axar comes back, Ishan comes back and one more. Don't worry Thiruvananthapuram, Sanju Samson is playing tonight. We are waiting for him (Tilak). We have almost covered all the departments, every game we learn something and take it forward," said India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bat first. He made his intensions clear during the toss that he wants to test his side with this brave call.

When it comes to Abhishek Sharma in this series, it has either been incredible or nothing at all. He has two half-centuries and two golden ducks so far. Here are his scores in the last four T20Is:

1st T20I: 84 (35)

2nd T20I: 0 (1)
3rd T20I: 68* (20)

4th T20I: 0 (1)

India's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has not featured in the two previous T20Is, being rested. However, he could make his way back into the playing XI to get some final match practice in ahead of the T20 World Cup. 

Undoubtedly, there will be some pressure in the mind of Sanju Samson. The wicket-keeper batter has not had a series to remember, but he'll be desperate to strike at least a fifty ahead of the T20 World Cup. If he fails today, uncertainty over his spot is only bound to increase.

However, Samson is playing in his home state of Kerala today, and will no doubt have the entire crowd cheering him on!

Powerful opener Finn Allen is expected to appear for New Zealand today. The wicket-keeper batter, who was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2026, joined up with the NZ squad after finishing as the top run-getter in the Big Bash League for Perth Scorchers. He is expected to replace Devon Conway in the playing XI.

Axar Patel hurt his bowling finger during the first T20I and sat out for three matches. He is most likely to make a return to India’s playing XI. A similar case could be with Ishan Kishan, who missed the fourth T20I due to a niggle. The southpaw could also get a run tonight.

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

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson.

Four matches are done, and we have come to the final one! The India vs New Zealand T20I series concludes tonight, with the fifth game set to be played at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Hello everyone, and welcome to this live blog. Stay connected for the live score and updates of the contest.