Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 31 (UNI) Ishan Kishan’s breathtaking century, captain Suryakumar Yadav’s audacious fifty and a late onslaught from Hardik Pandya powered India to a commanding 46-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final T20 International here on Saturday.
Batting first after winning the toss at the Greenfield International Stadium, India piled up a towering 271 for five, setting New Zealand a daunting target of 272. Kishan was the centrepiece of India’s dominance, producing one of the most destructive T20I knocks in recent times. The left-hander smashed 103 off just 43 balls, striking six fours and 10 sixes, and consistently dismantled both pace and spin.
Kishan tore into Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner with fearless slog-sweeps and lofted drives, raced to his half-century, and then exploded further to bring up his hundred in just 42 balls with back-to-back sixes.
The milestone triggered a standing ovation from the crowd, as teammates swarmed him in appreciation. His dismissal in the 18th over ended a spectacular innings that had already taken the match far beyond New Zealand’s grasp.
At the other end, Suryakumar Yadav was at his inventive best, crafting a scintillating 63 off 30 balls. The Indian captain unfurled his full repertoire — flicks over fine leg, inside-out lofts over cover and fearless charges down the pitch.
He raised his fifty with consecutive sixes off Jacob Duffy, as India plundered 23 runs from the over. Together, Kishan and Suryakumar stitched a blistering 137-run stand for the third wicket in just 57 balls, the partnership that decisively tilted the contest.
After Suryakumar fell in the 15th over, Hardik Pandya ensured India’s momentum did not dip. Walking in with clear intent, Pandya launched a brutal assault, hammering 42 off just 17 balls. He repeatedly punished anything short or overpitched, clearing the mid-wicket and long-on boundaries with ease and pushing India past the 250-mark.
Shivam Dube provided the final flourish, launching Kyle Jamieson straight back over his head for six off the last ball, as India smashed 169 runs in the final 10 overs.
In reply, New Zealand fought back through Finn Allen’s explosive 80 off 38 balls and a brisk 30 from Rachin Ravindra, racing to 79 in the powerplay and keeping the chase alive briefly. Allen’s clean striking, featuring eight fours and six sixes, gave the visitors early momentum.
However, India’s bowlers struck regularly to derail the chase. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh delivered a decisive spell, claiming five wickets for 51 runs to break New Zealand’s backbone. Axar Patel chipped in with three wickets, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Rinku Singh accounted for one apiece. Despite late resistance from Ish Sodhi, who struck 33 off 15 balls, New Zealand were bowled out for 225 in 19.4 overs.
