New Zealand vs India 2020: 5th T20I, Mount Maunganui - New Zealand Predicted XI

The ongoing New Zealand vs India 2020 Twenty20 series couldn’t have gone any wrong for New Zealand. The fine margins in a sport couldn’t have been redefined any better, considering the losses the Kiwis have suffered in the last two games.

And, unlike the super overs in 2019, New Zealand solely had themselves to blame for conceding the matches from winning positions in Hamilton and Wellington respectively. And in a manner that it was inexcusable.

It was their second successive super over loss that left the hosts an embarrassing 4-0 down in the five-match series.

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And as the final of the five-match series shifts to the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, the home side faces a stiff task of evading a whitewash to India.

The Black Caps would be hoping for their regular captain to be fit for the match as he sat out of the fourth T20I due to a shoulder injury.

The hosts would also be looking forward to their misfiring lower-order to come to the party and contribute to a consolation victory.

We take a look at the predicted XI for New Zealand ahead of the fifth T20I:

Martin Guptill:

It was in the first time in this series so far that Martin Guptill got out for single figures and looked scratchy out in the middle. Prior to the match at the Westpac Stadium, Guptill got the Kiwis out for blistering starts.

The opening batsman could manage only four runs in his eight-ball stay in Wellington. The 33-year old would be hoping to end the series on a high.

Colin Munro:

New Zealand’s top-scorer in their second successive super over loss on Friday, Colin Munro’s knock of 64 was also his highest so far in the series.

The southpaw threaded a stand of 74 along with Tim Seifert to put the hosts on track before they subsided dramatically. The Bay Oval is Munro’s fortress since he has 307 runs from five games at the venue and mustered two out of his three T20I centuries here.

Kane Williamson(c):

The New Zealand camp would be pulling all stops to ensure Kane Williamson is back to full fitness for the final match.

The 29-year-old almost single-handedly took his side to victory in Hamilton before one of the two meltdowns took place. In his place, Tom Bruce couldn’t trouble the scorers as Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed him for a duck.

Tim Seifert(wk):

New Zealand’s gloveman arguably has been one of the better performing batsmen even as the batting line-up collectively is failing. In the fourth game, Tim Seifert was promoted to number three and he responded by stitching a half-century stand along with Colin Munro.

Unfortunately, his dismissal came at a very wrong time. Nevertheless, the hosts should stick with Seifert at number four since he looks like the best in the middle-order after Williamson.

Ross Taylor:

Ross Taylor resoundingly started the series by scoring a fifty to give a flourishing finish to New Zealand. But since then, the 35-year old has struggled to get the runs and most importantly has been unable to finish the games for his team.

Taylor would be hoping to get back to his groove ahead of the ODI series and Test series.

Daryl Mitchell:

Daryl Mitchell played his first game of the series and scored a boundary while batting at number six.

Usually a competent finisher, Mitchell deserves another go in this series and he should most likely play in the absence of Colin De Grandhomme.

The captain should also use his dibbly-dobbly medium pacers in the middle-overs.

Mitchell Santner:

Mitchell Santner has blown hot and cold feet so far in this series. In the fourth match at the Westpac Stadium, the left-arm spinner picked one wicket and grabbed three crucial catches to go with.

But as a proven finisher, the southpaw should have taken his side past the finish line. He would be looking forward to gaining more form going into the ODI series.

Scott Kuggeleijn:

Scott Kuggeleijn may have gone a tad expensive, but he has been among the wickets. The 28-year–old bounced out Sanju Samson in the powerplay in Wellington after going for a six.

Being a strike bowler, Kuggeleijn has bowled only six overs. Hence, he needs to bowl his full quota overs for New Zealand to get more rewards.

Tim Southee:

Spare a thought for Tim Southee! The 31-year old bowled his seventh consecutive super over in T20Is and his side suffered another defeat.

The batsmen gave the seamer and the stand-in captain only 14 to defend contrary to 18 in the third encounter. Southee bowled a relatively miserly spell in the match, but the might of the Indian batting was too much for him to keep quiet.

Ish Sodhi:

Ish Sodhi started the series in a rather indisciplined manner, but has become a genuine wicket-taker apart from keeping things tight.

In their shattering loss in Wellington, the leggie was the pick of the bowlers, snapping three wickets for only 26 runs. At this point, Sodhi remains one of the vital cogs of their bowling line-up.

Hamish Bennett:

Hamish Bennett started this T20I career through this series. Though he had an inauspicious start, the 32-year-old has gifted his team with wickets in crucial junctures.

In Wellington, Bennett picked up the wicket of Virat Kohli and Shardul Thakur, both of who looked ominous. In four wickets, he has five wickets at 32.00 and is expected to retain his place for the final match.

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