New Zealand vs India - Players & Playing XI · T20I 2026

New Zealand welcome India to Seddon Park in Hamilton for the 5th T20I of their ongoing series. First ball is at 20:00 NZDT on Sunday 1 November (07:00 UK time, 12:30 IST). This is a crucial match in a tight contest – India lead the series 3-1 after winning two of the first four meetings, but New Zealand claimed a dominant 87-run victory at Eden Park just three days ago. For full match data, head-to-head records and live projections, check the New Zealand vs India fixture page on Statz.

The Venue and Toss Prediction

Seddon Park is a batting paradise. Across the last 6 T20 matches here, the average match total stands at 351.3 with an average first-innings score of 186.1. Teams batting first have won 83.3% of matches at this ground – a decisive toss advantage. The pitch is tagged as Balanced by Statz, but the numbers tell a clear story: bat first and chase second.

Seam bowlers have taken 68.5% of wickets at an economy rate of 9.01, while spinners have been more economical at 8.99 but account for only 30.1% of dismissals. The most recent T20 at this ground saw New Zealand beat South Africa by 68 runs on 17 March 2026 (NZ 175/6, SA 107/10).

The toss will be pivotal here. New Zealand win 49.9% batting first and only 40.9% bowling first – a 9-point swing in their favour for taking first strike. India show the same pattern: 57.1% batting first versus 48.1% bowling first. Winning the toss and electing to bat could prove decisive.

Form and Table

New Zealand – 4th in ICC T20I Rankings (Rating 247)

New Zealand have won their last match. Their last five T20Is were all played at home bar one away fixture:

• 30 Oct vs IND (H): W – NZ 259/7, IND 172/9
• 27 Oct vs IND (H): L – NZ 198/3, IND 199/4 (13.2)
• 24 Oct vs IND (H): L – NZ 180/5, IND 181/6 (19.5)
• 22 Oct vs IND (H): L – NZ 225/4, IND 230/6 (19.4)
• 2 May vs BAN (A): W – NZ 104/4 (11.4), BAN 102/10 (14.2)

The hosts have been inconsistent in this series – three losses sandwiched between two wins. The 87-run victory at Eden Park suggests they are finding their rhythm at the right time, but India’s overall dominance in the head-to-head cannot be ignored.

India – 2nd in ICC T20I Rankings (Rating 267)

India have lost their last match. Their last five T20Is were dominated by away fixtures in New Zealand:

• 30 Oct vs NZ (A): L – IND 172/9, NZ 259/7
• 27 Oct vs NZ (A): W – IND 199/4 (13.2), NZ 198/3
• 24 Oct vs NZ (A): W – IND 181/6 (19.5), NZ 180/5
• 22 Oct vs NZ (A): W – IND 230/6 (19.4), NZ 225/4
• 17 Oct vs WI (H): NR – IND 118/5 (7.4)

India rank 2nd in the ICC T20I standings and have been the stronger side overall, winning three of the first four matches. However, the loss at Eden Park shows they are vulnerable – particularly when New Zealand bat first and set a big total. India’s away record in this series has been mixed, and they will need to respond emphatically here.

Head-to-Head

India dominate this fixture comprehensively. In 26 T20I meetings, India have won 19 to New Zealand’s 5, with 2 no-results. The most recent five clashes tell the story of this series:

• 30 Oct 2026 at Eden Park: New Zealand won by 87 runs
• 27 Oct 2026 at Sky Stadium: India won by 6 wickets (40 balls remaining)
• 24 Oct 2026 at Hagley Oval: India won by 4 wickets (1 ball remaining)
• 22 Oct 2026 at Hagley Oval: India won by 4 wickets (2 balls remaining)
• 31 Jan 2026 at Greenfield International Stadium: India won by 46 runs

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner has been the standout performer across these 29 meetings, taking 31 wickets in 24 matches. Glenn Phillips leads the run-scoring with 581 runs from 18 matches. For India, Abhishek Sharma has been prolific with 430 runs in just 10 matches, while Arshdeep Singh has taken 22 wickets in only 4 matches – an extraordinary strike rate.

Statz Projections and Projected Score

The Statz projections show India as slight favourites, but this is a competitive contest.

If New Zealand bat first: Projected first-innings total of 197.3, match total of 383.6. Win probability – NZ 49.9%, IND 48.1%, tie/NR 2%. First-innings P10-P90 range: 169 to 227.

If India bat first: Projected first-innings total of 198.6, match total of 384.7. Win probability – NZ 40.9%, IND 57.1%, tie/NR 2%. First-innings P10-P90 range: 170 to 227.

The projected match total of 384 is 32.7 runs above the Seddon Park average of 351.3, suggesting both sides will score freely. The first-innings projections of around 198 are above the ground average of 186.1 – expect aggressive batting from the outset. Match total P10-P90 range: 330 to 440.

Season Leaders

New Zealand – T20 Internationals 2026

Runs: Glenn Phillips – 452 runs, 50.22 a match, HS 107 | Daryl Mitchell – 272 runs, 30.22 a match, HS 89 | Bevon Jacobs – 254 runs, 23.09 a match, HS 62

Wickets: Mitchell Santner – 19 wickets, 1.58 a match, best 4 | Jacob Duffy – 11 wickets, 1.38 a match, best 4 | Kyle Jamieson – 10 wickets, 1.11 a match, best 2

India – T20 Internationals 2026

Runs: Abhishek Sharma – 1012 runs, 33.73 a match, HS 113 | Ishan Kishan – 842 runs, 31.19 a match, HS 103 | Shreyas Iyer – 666 runs, 26.64 a match, HS 102

Wickets: Arshdeep Singh – 31 wickets, 1.35 a match, best 5 | Axar Patel – 23 wickets, 0.96 a match, best 3 | Mayank Yadav – 13 wickets, 1.44 a match, best 3

Predicted XIs

New Zealand (based on XI vs India, 30 Oct 2026)

1. Tim Seifert (wk)
2. Finn Allen
3. Daryl Mitchell
4. Glenn Phillips
5. Bevon Jacobs
6. Michael Bracewell
7. Mitchell Santner (c)
8. Adam Milne
9. Nathan Smith
10. Jacob Duffy
11. Matthew Fisher

India (based on XI vs New Zealand, 30 Oct 2026)

1. Sanju Samson (wk)
2. Abhishek Sharma
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Shreyas Iyer (c)
5. Axar Patel
6. Nitish Kumar Reddy
7. Tilak Varma
8. Naman Dhir
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Prince Yadav
11. Mayank Yadav

These lineups are based on the most recent match for each team. Always check the fixture page on Statz for toss updates and confirmed XIs on match day.

Dream11 Captain and Vice Captain Picks

Captain: Mitchell Santner (NZ) – projected 98.3 points. The New Zealand captain and all-rounder offers value across all three disciplines with projected runs around 20 and nearly a wicket per match. His consistency and leadership make him the safest captain choice.

Vice Captain: Abhishek Sharma (IND) – projected 88.3 points. The India batter has been phenomenal this cycle with 1012 runs at 33.73 a match. Projected for over 37 runs with his aggressive approach at the top of the order.

Also consider:

• Arshdeep Singh (IND) – projected 79.9 points – 31 wickets this cycle, 1.35 a match
• Ishan Kishan (IND) – projected 90.6 points – 842 season runs, 31.19 a match
• Glenn Phillips (NZ) – projected 90.6 points – 452 season runs, 50.22 a match

Key Players

Abhishek Sharma (India)

The India batter has been the standout performer in T20 Internationals this cycle. With 1012 runs at 33.73 a match and a high score of 113, Sharma sits at the top of the competition’s run-scoring charts. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has been crucial to India’s success. In this series, he has scored 27, 113 and 27 in his last three outings – showing both consistency and the ability to deliver match-winning innings.

Arshdeep Singh (India)

India’s leading wicket-taker this cycle with 31 wickets from just 23 matches – an extraordinary strike rate of 1.35 a match. Arshdeep has taken at least one wicket in 100% of his last 5 matches. His death bowling has been India’s trump card, and at Seddon Park – where seam bowlers account for 68.5% of dismissals – he will be a crucial factor.

Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

New Zealand’s leading run-scorer this cycle with 452 runs at 50.22 a match, including a high score of 107. Phillips has scored 20+ runs in 66.7% of his matches this season. His aggressive batting in the middle order provides the platform for New Zealand to post competitive totals, and he has scored 30+ runs in 55.6% of his matches – a crucial metric for a player of his calibre.

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

The New Zealand captain and all-rounder has been the standout bowler in this series and across the cycle. With 19 wickets at 1.58 a match, Santner has taken at least one wicket in 83.3% of his matches this season. He has taken 2+ wickets in 50% of his matches, making him a genuine match-winner with the ball. His leadership will be crucial as New Zealand look to level the series.

Who Will Win New Zealand vs India?

India are slight favourites at 52.6% to win this 5th T20I, with New Zealand at 45.4%. The Statz projections show India gaining a significant edge if they bat first (57.1% vs 48.1%), while New Zealand’s chances improve substantially if they win the toss and elect to bat (49.9% vs 40.9%).

India’s overall dominance in the head-to-head record (19-5) and their superior ranking (2nd vs 4th) suggest they should be favoured. However, New Zealand’s commanding 87-run victory at Eden Park three days ago shows they are capable of matching India when conditions suit them. The toss will be pivotal – Seddon Park favours teams batting first with an 83.3% win rate for that option.

I am leaning India here. Their batting depth – led by Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer – is superior, and Arshdeep Singh’s death bowling gives them an edge in the closing overs. However, this is far from settled, and New Zealand’s home advantage and recent form make them a genuine threat.

Betting Angles

Head to the Statz bet builder for real-time hit rates and odds on this fixture:

• Abhishek Sharma 20+ runs – 80% hit rate in his last 5 matches, 60% for the season. The India batter has been in devastating form in this series.
• Arshdeep Singh 1+ wicket – 100% hit rate in his last 5 matches. India’s leading wicket-taker has been relentless.
• Glenn Phillips 30+ runs – 55.6% season hit rate. New Zealand’s leading run-scorer with a high score of 107 this cycle.
• Mitchell Santner 1+ wicket – 83.3% season hit rate. The New Zealand captain has taken a wicket in the vast majority of his matches.

New Zealand vs India Prediction FAQ

Q: Who will win New Zealand vs India?

A: India are slight favourites at 52.6% to win this 5th T20I, with New Zealand at 45.4%. India’s superior ranking and head-to-head record give them the edge, but New Zealand’s recent 87-run victory at Eden Park shows they are competitive. The toss will be crucial – Seddon Park heavily favours teams batting first.

Q: What is the projected score?

A: The projected match total is 384 runs, which is 32.7 runs above the Seddon Park average of 351.3. If New Zealand bat first, expect a first-innings total around 197.3; if India bat first, around 198.6. Both sides are projected to score freely on this batting paradise.

Q: Who is favourite to win the toss?

A: There is no data on toss favourites, but the venue data is clear: teams batting first win 83.3% of matches at Seddon Park. Whoever wins the toss should elect to bat first. New Zealand win 49.9% batting first and only 40.9% bowling first; India win 57.1% batting first and 48.1% bowling first.

Q: Is India a good bet?

A: India are slight favourites at 52.6% and have dominated the head-to-head record (19-5). However, New Zealand’s recent form and home advantage make this competitive. The outcome will likely depend on the toss and which side bats first – nothing is guaranteed in T20 cricket.