In the fifth T20I match against <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-5th-t20i-sanju-samson-under-scrutiny-as-team-india-eyes-strong-series-finish-23657927" rel="nofollow">Team India</a>, New Zealand's skipper Mitchell Santner has won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.
The "Black Caps" have entered the clash with just one change, where Matthew Fisher made way for Blair Tickner.
After winning the toss, New Zealand's skipper Santner said, "[On opting to bowl first] I just assumed I was going to lose the toss. We'll have a bowl. Yeah I think obviously a new pitch - looks all right. Usually plays pretty good here. Might be a little bit of dew later on I think. [On the challenge of playing at Seddon Park's relatively small dimensions] Yeah, I mean it's a challenge obviously the small grounds in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/nz-vs-ind-4th-t20-glenn-phillips-century-jacob-duffy-four-fer-power-hosts-to-87-run-win-23657757" rel="nofollow">New Zealand</a>. You have to adapt quickly. You got to be, I guess, smart with the way you operate. I guess the dimensions change kind of, you know, around the country. So traditionally here they might, you know, if there's a little bit of bounce like Eden Park, it'd be quite nice. I guess the plans are similar. And if it's flat we're going to have to adapt. [On New Zealand's comeback in the series and their plans for the final T20I] Yeah, I think obviously with the bat we've been good this whole series. And then with the ball, we just adjusted our plans a little bit. There was obviously a little bit more on the wicket the other night, which was nice for the seamers. So I guess if it's something similar again, it usually can get a bit of bounce here at Seddon Park, so hopefully. [On the team changes] We got one change. Tickner's back and Matt Fisher misses out".
On the other hand, the "Men in Blue" have made two changes. <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-3rd-t20i-team-india-bowling-coach-morne-morkel-backs-bhuvneshwar-kumar-ahead-of-clash-23656986" rel="nofollow">Bhuvneshwar Kumar</a> has come in place of Mayank Yadav, whereas Varun Chakaravarthy will replace Axar Patel.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/nz-vs-ind-4th-t20-shreyas-iyer-admits-india-fell-short-with-ball-after-87-run-loss-to-new-zealand-23657769" rel="nofollow">Team India's captain Shreyas Iyer</a> said, "[On batting first in the final T20I] Yeah, I mean it's a great occasion to come here, especially in this historical ground. And we were looking to bat as well. Absolutely, we wanted to test ourselves batting first, you know, all the four games we chased. So want to have a feel of how the wicket will play in the first innings. [On India's plans after the defeat in Auckland] In Auckland the dimensions were different. Bowlers had a little bit of different plans against certain batsmen. But also credit where it's due. Phillips, he played exceptional knock. But it's important that we go by instincts and see to it that we bowl according to the plan and also what the wicket requires. [On the team changes and Varun's opportunity] We've got two changes. Varun comes in and Bhuvi comes in. Yes, absolutely. He's been waiting for his opportunity and today I feel that even in the huddle, he gave us a beautiful speech. So he's pumped up and he's looking forward for this contest".
<h2>IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Confirmed Playing XIs</h2>
India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: "Men in Blue" have made two changes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has come in place of Mayank Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy will replace Axar Patel

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: New Zealand win toss, opt to bowl first against Team India

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Ishan Kishan completes his half-century, Team India reach 111 runs in 10 overs

The "Black Caps" have entered the clash with just one change, where Matthew Fisher made way for Blair Tickner. On the other hand, the "Men in Blue" have made two changes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has come in place of Mayank Yadav, whereas Varun Chakaravarthy will replace Axar Patel

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Mitchell Santner wins toss, elects to bowl first against Team India

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