With India having already secured the five-match T20I series after winning the first three matches, the team management decided to make two changes to its playing XI for the final encounter against New Zealand in Hamilton. The visitors used the opportunity to manage the workload of key players while also giving their bench strength a chance to gain experience in overseas conditions. Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel were the two players left out of the side for the 5th T20I.

Why Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel are not playing in the 5th T20I?

Mayank has been left out of India’s playing XI after struggling in the fourth T20I at Eden Park in Auckland. The young fast bowler found it difficult to control his lengths on a ground with short straight boundaries, allowing New Zealand’s batters to take advantage whenever he missed his mark. His extreme pace, which is usually one of his biggest strengths, also worked against him on the Auckland surface, as the ball travelled quickly off the bat.

Meanwhile, Axar has been rested to manage his workload after featuring in all four previous T20Is. The all-rounder is also part of India’s plans for the upcoming ODI series, which begins on Wednesday, making it important for the management to manage his workload ahead of the next assignment. The team management will be keen to assess how the mystery spinner adapts to New Zealand conditions and contributes to the bowling attack. However, replacing Axar also means India will have less batting depth in the lower order, as the left-arm all-rounder provides valuable contributions with both bat and ball.

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakaravarthy return as India make two changes

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India’s playing XI after missing the previous match against New Zealand. His inclusion gives the team an experienced swing-bowling option, particularly useful in the powerplay. With Mayank struggling to find his rhythm in Auckland, Bhuvneshwar’s ability to vary his pace and execute his lengths could help India maintain better control.

Varun Chakaravarthy, meanwhile, gets an opportunity to feature in the series after Axar was rested. The spinner will look to make the most of his chance and adapt to the conditions in Hamilton. His inclusion also allows India to assess another bowling combination ahead of future international assignments, although the team will have to manage the loss of Axar’s all-round contributions.

The two changes reflect India’s approach of using the final T20I to test its squad depth after securing the series. While resting Axar is a sensible decision with the ODI leg approaching, Mayank’s exclusion also raises questions about how young fast bowlers are managed after difficult outings in challenging overseas conditions.

India’s Playing XI: 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’s Playing XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner.

Also READ: NZ vs IND, 5th T20I: Seddon Park Pitch Report, T20 Stats and Records