Abhishek Sharma Not Dropped From Team India Playing XI: India will face South Africa in the Super-8 of ICC T20 World Cup 2026 today i.e. on 22nd February. Before this high-voltage match to be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, discussions are intense regarding the playing eleven of Team India. The Indian team has not lost a single match so far in the entire tournament. There may be a change in India’s playing eleven in the Super-8 match against South Africa today.

Abhishek Sharma will not be dropped from Team India’s playing 11

Till now, T20 World Cup 2026 has been no less than a nightmare for Team India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma. In this tournament, he has scored three consecutive ducks in the last three matches, but he will not be dropped from the team. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has given clear indications of this even before the match. In such a situation, Abhishek will be seen opening with Ishan Kishan against South Africa, while Tilak Verma will come to bat at number 3 and a lot of runs will be expected from him in this important match.

Middle order and bowling line up against South Africa

Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav himself will handle the number-4 position against South Africa, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dubey will play the role of all-rounders. The bowling will be in the hands of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel is expected to be paired with Varun Chakraborty in the spin department.

Akshar Patel will enter Team India in place of Washington Sundar!

A change is almost visible in the bowling department of the Indian team. There is every possibility of Akshar Patel returning to the playing eleven. Axar was rested in the last match, but his record on Ahmedabad pitches and home ground experience may give him priority in place of Washington Sundar.

Team India’s probable playing 11 against South Africa:

Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

Suryakumar Yadav Given Special Gift To The Players & Entire Team Members: Team India is ready for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting from 7th February. Team India has shown the trailer of its preparations for the 5-match home T20 series against New Zealand. Before this tournament, all the players of the Indian team, even the support staff members, were seen thanking captain Suryakumar Yadav the previous day.

Why did all the fellow players thank Suryakumar Yadav?

Actually, captain Suryakumar Yadav has given a special gift to the players and members of the entire team. That is why every player and member of the team has thanked Captain Suryakumar. The players have thanked Suryakumar Yadav in their Instagram story.

Suryakumar Yadav started a new venture

In T20 International, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has gifted a perfume to all his teammates. It is clear from the players’ Instagram stories that Suryakumar Yadav is preparing to enter the Indian market through that perfume brand. This is the reason why all the players have thanked him as well as congratulated him.

The whole country will also say thanks after winning the T20 World Cup.

You have learned why Team India players thanked Suryakumar Yadav, but the country will thank him only when he wins the title of T20 World Cup 2026. It has been a special thing for Team India in the last few days that captain Suryakumar Yadav has returned to his old form in the T20 series against New Zealand. With his bat, some of the same fast-paced innings were seen in this domestic match, for which Suryakumar Yadav is known.

The fifth T20 match was played between India and New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Team India won this match by 46 runs. Thanks to Ishan Kishan’s century, India had put 271 runs on the board in 20 overs after playing first. In reply, the Kiwi team collapsed for 225 runs. Arshdeep Singh took 5 wickets while bowling for India, but he had a record in his name which no bowler would like to make.

At the Greenfield Stadium, Arshdeep Singh took five wickets for 51 runs in 4 overs. With this, he got the record of taking five wickets while giving the most runs in a T20 International match. Earlier this record was in the name of Alzarri Joseph of West Indies. In 2023, Alzarri Joseph took 5 wickets for 40 runs against South Africa in Johannesburg. South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi is at third place in this record list. He took 5 wickets for 39 runs against England in Bristol in 2022. Arshdeep Singh is the highest wicket taker for India in International T20. This left-arm fast bowler, who debuted in 2022, has taken 118 wickets in 76 matches. This was the first time when Arshdeep took 5 wickets in an innings.

Talking about the fifth T20 match, India won the toss and decided to bat first. Thanks to Ishan Kishan’s first T20 century, India had scored 271 runs for 5 wickets. Kishan played an innings of 103 runs in 43 balls with the help of 10 sixes and 6 fours. Apart from this, captain Suryakumar Yadav scored 63 runs in 30 balls with the help of 6 sixes and 4 fours and Hardik Pandya scored 42 runs in 17 balls with the help of 4 sixes and 1 four.

Finn Allen scored the highest 80 runs for New Zealand. He hit 6 sixes and 8 fours in his innings of 38 balls. However, the Kiwi team was all out for 225 runs in 19.4 overs. In this way, India won the five-match T20 series 4-1.

The 2026 T20 World Cup will start from 7 February. This time this global tournament is being played in India and Sri Lanka. Team India is a strong contender to win this tournament. Team India, which wins the 2024 T20 World Cup, would like to win this ICC title for the second consecutive time. Before this, the Indian team played a five-match T20 series against New Zealand at home. Team India won this series 4-1. However, even before this series, India’s two star players Tilak Verma and Washington Sundar were injured. Both did not play in this series. However, after defeating New Zealand, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has given an update on the fitness of Tilak and Washington.

Tilak has started everything batting, bowling and fielding – Suryakumar Yadav

Let us tell you that Tilak Verma got injured while playing domestic cricket just before the start of the T20 series against New Zealand. He also had a small operation. He has been away from cricket for almost a month. Tilak is part of Team India for the T20 World Cup. Giving an update on his fitness, Suryakumar Yadav said, “Tilak Verma is getting fit well. I heard that he is playing two matches in Mumbai on February 2 and 4. I think two matches are enough. I spoke to him only yesterday. He has started batting, bowling and fielding everything. Hopefully he will be with us soon.”

Sundar has started bowling and batting – Indian T20 captain

Washington Sundar is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Center of Excellence. Sundar was part of India’s playing eleven in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on 11 January. He suffered a rib injury while bowling in that match, but despite this he came to bat and along with KL Rahul helped India win.

On Washington Sundar’s fitness, Suryakumar Yadav said, “I think Vashi is also doing well. I have also talked to him. He has also started bowling and batting. He is looking good and hopefully will be back soon.”

IND vs NZ: The fifth and last T20 match played between India and New Zealand was full of thrill, rain of runs and records. Team India, batting first at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, scored a mountain-like score of 271 runs in 20 overs and ultimately won the match by 46 runs. The hero of this victory was Arshdeep Singh, who took 5 wickets. However, with this a record was also added to his name, which no bowler would like to remember.

Runs were stolen in the first two overs, then the course of the match changed

The beginning of New Zealand’s innings was very aggressive. Finn Allen and other batsmen put pressure on the Indian bowlers. The initial overs were not easy for Arshdeep Singh also. In their first two overs, the Kiwi batsmen scored a lot of runs and scored 40 runs. At that time it seemed that the match could slip away for India.

But after this Arshdeep made a tremendous comeback. The captain showed trust in him and Arshdeep also did not let that trust be broken. In his next two overs, he changed the line-length, varied the pace and took wickets continuously. In the last two overs, he gave only 11 runs and put a break on New Zealand’s run rate by taking four important wickets.

Despite 5 wickets, an unwanted record was made

Arshdeep Singh took 5 wickets for 51 runs in 4 overs in this match. This was his first T20 International five wicket haul, which is a matter of pride for any bowler. However, along with this, an unwanted record also became his name. The record of the most expensive 5 wicket haul in the history of T20 International cricket is also in his name.

Batsmen laid the foundation of victory

The story of India’s victory was not limited to bowling only. Team India showed strength in batting also. Ishan Kishan scored a brilliant century and played a stormy innings of 103 runs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav maintained the pace of runs by scoring 63 runs in 30 balls. Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma also added quick runs and took the score to 271.

Name series of India

In reply, New Zealand tried their best and Finn Allen played a explosive inning of 80 runs, but in front of 5 wickets of Arshdeep Singh and 3 wickets of Akshar Patel, their team could reach only 225 runs. With this victory, India won the series 4-1. This match was both memorable and a little bitter for Arshdeep, where along with the praise, the burden of the record was also added.

IND vs NZ T20 Series: The last match of the five-match T20 series played between India and New Zealand became special in the history of Indian cricket. In this match played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Team India not only won by 46 runs but also made a record on the basis of batting, which was not seen before in any bilateral T20 series.

Batsmen opened the box of sixes

After winning the toss, the Indian team came to bat first and adopted an aggressive stance from the beginning. From opening till the finish, the Indian batsmen did not give any chance to the New Zealand bowlers to recover. Ishan Kishan had made his intentions clear in this match. He scored 103 runs in just 43 balls and broke the back of the Kiwi bowlers.

Apart from him, Abhishek Sharma also made important contribution. Whereas captain Suryakumar Yadav increased the run pace in the middle overs and scored 63 runs in 30 balls. In the end, Hardik Pandya played a brilliant inning of 42 runs in 17 balls and put a huge score of 271 runs on the board.

23 sixes in one match, record broken in the entire series

In this match, Team India hit a flurry of sixes. Indian batsmen together hit a total of 23 sixes. Of these, Ishan Kishan alone had hit 10 sixes. However, the real story was not limited to just one match. Indian batsmen hit a total of 69 sixes in the entire series.

This is the most number of sixes hit by a team in any bilateral T20 International series. Earlier this record was of 64 sixes, which was recorded in the names of England and Australia. Leaving this figure behind, India has set a new benchmark.

Strong win with big score

The score of 271 runs was India’s third highest score in T20 International. Chasing such a big target, the New Zealand team appeared to be under pressure. Finn Allen definitely played a quick inning of 80 runs in 38 balls, but the rest of the batsmen could not make much contribution.

Indian bowlers strengthened their hold on the match by taking wickets in the middle overs and ultimately India won the match by 46 runs. With this victory, Team India won the series 4-1.

Big message before T20 World Cup

India’s aggressive batting in this series has clearly indicated that the team is in full form before the T20 World Cup. This storm of sixes not only broke records but also gave a strong warning to the opposing teams.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: The last match of the five-match T20 series played between India and New Zealand was entirely in the name of Suryakumar Yadav. In this match played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, the Indian captain created such a storm with the bat that his name got registered in the record books. With this match, Surya also left behind a big record of Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli’s record broken

Surya scored 242 runs in the 5-match series against New Zealand. With this, Surya has become the Indian captain who has scored the most runs in a T20 International series. Earlier this record was in the name of Virat Kohli, who had scored 231 runs in a series against England. Surya has created a new record by crossing this figure.

Team India’s aggressive innings

After winning the toss and coming to bat first in the fifth T20 match, the Indian team made an aggressive start. From opening till middle order, the batsmen played shots freely. In 20 overs, India scored 271 runs after losing 5 wickets, which was no less than a mountain for New Zealand. Suryakumar Yadav’s innings was very important in this big score.

Suryakumar Yadav scored 63 runs in 30 balls hitting 4 fours and 6 sixes in this match. When there was a need to increase the run rate in the middle overs, Surya took the responsibility in his hands. He hit shots all around the ground and did not give any chance to the Kiwi bowlers to recover.

Great comeback in the series

Before this series, Suryakumar Yadav’s form was constantly being criticized. The pressure of batting along with captaincy was clearly visible on him. However, he proved himself completely in this series against New Zealand. In five matches, Surya scored three half-centuries and scored a total of 242 runs. This performance shows why he is called a player of big matches.

Suryakumar Yadav hit 39 boundaries in the entire series. He hit 25 fours and 14 sixes, which clearly shows his aggressive thinking. He was also the batsman who scored the most runs in this series.

Confidence increased before T20 World Cup

India won this series 4-1 and the form of captain Suryakumar Yadav has come as a big relief for Team India. Surya getting into rhythm like this before the T20 World Cup will strengthen the confidence of the Indian team.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh completely emerged as the hero of the story in the fifth and last T20 match between India vs New Zealand played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The beginning of the match was very bad for him. However, as the match progressed, Arshdeep counterattacked in such a way that New Zealand’s batting completely disintegrated. On this basis, India won the match by 46 runs and won the series 4-1.

Arshdeep flopped badly in the beginning

The New Zealand team, which came to chase India’s huge score of 271 runs, started batting in an aggressive manner. Arshdeep Singh’s rhythm seemed completely spoiled in the powerplay. In his first two overs, the Kiwi batsmen scored a lot of runs and scored 40 runs. During this period he also took one wicket. At that time it seemed that this day would prove to be very bad for Arshdeep.

The whole story changed from the 12th over

However, the real Arshdeep Singh was seen after this. The captain handed him the ball again in the 12th over and from here the course of the match changed. On the very first ball, he sent the dangerous Rachin Ravindra to the pavilion. Mitchell Santner also became his victim in the same over. Arshdeep put pressure on New Zealand by taking two big wickets in one over.

‘Claw’ opened in the 16th over

After this, in the 16th over, Arshdeep achieved the most special moment of his career. He completed the first five-wicket haul of his T20 International career by dismissing Darryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson. The special thing was that Arshdeep, who gave 40 runs in the first two overs, spent only 11 runs in his last two overs.

Name recorded in record book

Arshdeep Singh took 5 wickets for 51 runs in 4 overs and became the sixth bowler from India to take a five wicket haul in T20 International. This performance is also special because he bounced back under pressure and showed how reliable a bowler he is in big matches.

Most successful Indian bowler in the series

In this series, Arshdeep took 8 wickets in 4 matches and was the highest wicket taker for India. Even though their economy was a bit high, this performance in the last match is a big positive sign for Team India before the T20 World Cup 2026.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: In the fifth T20 match between India vs New Zealand played in Thiruvananthapuram, Team India won the series by 46 runs and won the series 4-1. However, this match also raised many questions regarding Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, generally considered the backbone of India’s bowling, did not appear to be in full form in this match and his performance became one of the most expensive matches of his T20 International career.

Kiwi batsmen targeted Bumrah

Chasing the huge target of 271 runs, New Zealand’s batsmen adopted an aggressive approach from the very beginning. Meanwhile, when Jasprit Bumrah came to bowl, he did not get swing or control as expected. He spent 58 runs in his quota of four overs and could not take any wicket. This is considered to be the most expensive spell of his T20 international career so far.

This was seen for the first time during the match when an experienced bowler like Bumrah was seen under pressure. Especially his third over proved to be very costly, in which New Zealand batsmen continuously hit boundaries and scored 22 runs in his over.

The old edge was not seen in the entire series

It is not just about one match. Bumrah was not seen in his old rhythm in the entire series. While he is usually known for economical bowling and taking important wickets, this time his economy was seen rising above 9. Statistics show that he spent more runs than expected in this series and was able to take limited wickets also.

However, other bowlers of the team compensated for this deficiency to a great extent. Arshdeep Singh made a brilliant comeback after the initial setbacks and took five wickets, while Akshar Patel also provided breakthroughs at important junctures.

Concern increased before the World Cup

The start of T20 World Cup 2026 is not far away and at such a time, Bumrah’s struggle with form is a matter of concern for Team India. In the last World Cup, Bumrah proved to be India’s biggest strength and his bowling in the death overs won many matches. The team management will hope that Bumrah will regain his rhythm soon. Amidst the celebration of victory, this match has also given an important warning to Team India.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: The fifth and last T20 match played between India and New Zealand proved to be completely worth the money for the cricket fans. Team India gave such a performance at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, which will be remembered for a long time. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Indian team scored a pile of runs and scored 271 runs for 5 wickets in 20 overs. After this, the bowlers also showed amazing performance and India won the match by 46 runs.

Many players of Team India played important roles in this historic victory. From batting to bowling, India seemed superior to New Zealand in every department. Let us know about those 5 players who became the real heroes of victory in this match.

Ishan Kishan’s explosive comeback

Ishan Kishan, who returned to the T20 team after almost two years, made his return completely memorable. He adopted an aggressive style from the beginning and did not give the New Zealand bowlers a chance to recover. Ishaan scored 103 runs in just 43 balls, hitting 10 sixes and 6 fours. For this brilliant century he was also given the title of Player of the Match.

captain surya class show

Suryakumar Yadav played a fast innings while fulfilling his responsibility as captain. He scored 63 runs in 30 balls and increased the run rate further in the middle overs. Surya’s innings contributed significantly in pushing India towards a big score.

Arshdeep Singh’s strong comeback

The start of the match was not easy for Arshdeep Singh, but the real story was written in his third spell. He made a brilliant comeback and broke the back of New Zealand’s batting. Arshdeep took 5 wickets in 4 overs and this was the first five wicket haul of his T20 International career.

Hardik Pandya’s finishing touch

Hardik Pandya scored runs rapidly in the last overs. Batting at a strike rate of 247.06, he scored 42 runs in just 17 balls. Due to which India could reach beyond 270. His short but effective innings further increased the pressure on New Zealand.

Akshar Patel’s match changing bowling

Akshar Patel also made a full impact while bowling. He bowled at an economy rate of 8.25, spending the least runs in his spell. Akshar almost ensured India’s victory by taking 3 wickets in 4 overs. Not only this, he sent Finn Allen, who had scored 80 runs in 30 balls, to the pavilion, which proved to be the turning point of the match.