“Naman was a bit relaxed” - Former all-rounder on key moment in India's defeat in NZ vs IND 2026 5th T20I

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opined that Naman Dhir was a bit relaxed when he dropped Tim Seifert's catch in the fifth T20I against New Zealand, which proved to be a key moment in the clash. The game was played in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1.

Asked to bat first, India posted 191/8, with Ishan Kishan top-scoring with 61 off 32 balls. Chasing 192, the hosts lost Finn Allen cheaply for two off three balls. In the fourth over, Dhir dropped Seifert on 13 at deep backward point. The opener made full use of the reprieve and went on to score 93 off 50 balls, hitting 11 fours and five sixes, as New Zealand won by seven wickets with 12 balls to spare.

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Pathan stated that the lights were a factor in the dropped catch, but felt that the fielder was slightly casual. He added that things could have been different had India capitalised on that opportunity. Pathan said:

“Tim Seifert scored almost 100 runs, finishing with 93. When his catch was dropped, he was batting on around 13-14. The catch was dropped by Naman Dhir. The lights were certainly a factor where he was positioned, and the ball was dipping slightly. It also seemed that Naman was a bit relaxed. That catch, in particular, could have changed things had it been taken.”

Pathan further stated that Seifert never looked back after being dropped and continued his brilliant batting, maintaining the momentum during his first half-century knock of the series. He said:

“Once he got that opportunity, he never looked back. His batting was absolutely brilliant. And the way he maintained the momentum was commendable, which is why it never felt like New Zealand were out of the game at any point.”

Despite the defeat, India won 3-2, securing their third consecutive T20I series victory on New Zealand soil.

“Most disappointing aspect has been the fielding” - Irfan Pathan's blunt remark after 5th T20I

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan pointed out that India's fielding was a major letdown in the fifth T20I, saying:

“The most disappointing aspect of this entire contest has been the fielding. There were two instances of straightforward misfields, one by Ishan Kishan and another by Nitish Kumar Reddy. Naman Dhir also dropped a catch, and these were very important factors.”

The 42-year-old also stated that India's bowlers failed to bowl the right lengths and looked toothless in the last two games. He said:

“We didn't bowl the lengths we should have. I've been saying this from the very beginning. We haven't been bowling good lengths. We didn't bowl according to the ground dimensions in the previous match, and even here, we failed to find the right lengths based on the ground and pitch conditions. It also felt like the bowling in both these matches was a bit toothless.”

The focus now shifts to the ODI series, with the first match set to be played in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4.

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