India beat New Zealand by 46 runs, clinch series 4-1

Ishan Kishan’s thrill-a-second maiden T20I hundred compensated for Sanju Samson’s familiar failure, and the knock in conjunction with Arshdeep Singh's fifer scripted India's 46-run romp over New Zealand in the fifth and final match in Thiruvanathpuram on Saturday. India thus sealed the series 4-1, and wrapped up their preparations to defend the T20 World Cup title on a highly satisfactory note. Once India made a humongous 271 for five, riding on Kishan’s (103, 43 balls, 6x4, 10x6) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s (63, 30b, 4x4, 6x6), only the margin of victory was needed to be known.

A fantastic finish to the T20I series in Trivandrum #TeamIndia register a 46-run victory and win the T20I series 4-1

Scorecard https://t.co/AwZfWUTBGi#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/SktrGoq0Dp

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2026

Chasing a massive 272 runs in Thiruvananthapuram, New Zealand, were off to a mixed start, losing their opener, Tim Seifert, for five runs as they scored 17 runs. India reached the 200-run mark in 15.4 overs. In the 17th over by Santner, Hardik Pandya collected a four and six before Ishan  ended the over with back-to-back maximums, reaching his maiden T20I century in just 42 balls, with six fours and 10 sixes.