New Zealand win fifth T20I, India clinch series

In Men’s Cricket, hosts New Zealand defeated India by 7 wickets in the final T20 International of the five match series in Hamilton. Chasing the target of 192 runs, New Zealand scored 195 for 3. Earlier, put into bat first, India posted 191 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips struck impressive half-centuries for New Zealand. 
India made an early breakthrough when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Finn Allen in the second over. However, Seifert and Daryl Mitchell helped New Zealand reach 59 for one at the end of the powerplay. Earlier, India posted 191 for eight after half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. Kishan scored 61 off 32 balls, while Iyer contributed 50. The pair stitched together a 93-run partnership for the third wicket after India lost openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson cheaply.

A spirited finish from New Zealand as they claim the final match and narrow the T20I series margin to 3-2 against India https://t.co/UM9iULA5D1 https://t.co/9UCCRC4ntQ

— ICC (@ICC) November 1, 2026

Despite the defeat, India clinched the series 3-2. The Men in Blue won the first three matches, while New Zealand staged a comeback by securing victories in the final two games, including the fourth match in Auckland on Friday.