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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has lauded the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for organizing India’s fifth and final T20I against New Zealand successfully on Saturday, January 31.
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Notably, India bagged a 46-run win to secure a 4-1 series win. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Shukla asserted that Team India’s form against New Zealand boosts India’s chances of winning the title in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
"The Kerala Cricket Association has done a good job and I think it's a very good stadium to host international matches. Winning this series means that our boys are in form and our performance in the World Cup is going to be really good," Rajeev Shukla told ANI.
"Ishan Kishan performed very well. Sanju Samson is a very good batsman. Unfortunately, in this series, he can't do much, but he is very good, technically, he is very sound...The Indian team's performance against New Zealand was really good, and it shows that their performance in the World Cup is also going to be really good. I'm very optimistic that we are going to win the World Cup," he added.
Delving into the details of the fifth and final T20I, India batted first after winning the toss. They posted a whopping total of 271/5 in 20 overs, thanks to Ishan Kishan's 103-run knock off 43 balls with six fours and 10 sixes. Moreover, Suryakumar Yadav (64) and Hardik Pandya (42) also shone well, scoring at a rapid pace.
In response, New Zealand could score 225 runs in 19.4 overs, losing the game by 46 runs. Finn Allen was the wrecker-in-chief with his 80-run knock, but in vain. Arshdeep Singh stole the show with his maiden five-wicket haul.
While Ishan Kishan was awarded the player of the match, Suryakumar Yadav was awarded the player of the series.
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