Shreyas Iyer does a Manuka Honey celebration after reaching 50 in 5th NZ vs IND 2026 T20I [Watch]

India captain Shreyas Iyer produced a blistering counterattacking half-century against New Zealand on Sunday in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park, lighting up the series finale with a memorable milestone moment.

Iyer raced to his 50 off just 23 deliveries, immediately celebrating with a playful "Manuka Honey" tribute directed at the team dugout. Miming the dipping of a spoon into an imaginary jar and taking an appreciative taste, Iyer offered a lighthearted salute to New Zealand’s world-famous export.

The gesture sparked widespread smiles among his teammates, visually underscoring a sweet, timely return to peak form under pressure.

The half-century came off the back of a breathtaking display of quick reflexes and improvisation during the 12th over.

Facing seamer Nathan Smith, Iyer encountered a waist-high, dipping full-toss on middle stump that bordered dangerously on an illegal delivery for height. Rather than retreating, Iyer read the trajectory instantly, shuffling across the crease to establish a stable base. He rolled his wrists across the leather, snapping a wristy flick through the vacant square-leg area.

The ball bisected the outfielders with ferocious speed, crashing into the deep backward square-leg boundary rope for four to seal his fifty in spectacular fashion. Iyer perished two deliveries later, mistiming a pull shot to end his dynamic knock on 50.

Watch the clip here:

How India's innings unfolded in 5th T20I after New Zealand opted to bowl first

India recovered from a rocky start to finish on 191 for eight in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat by New Zealand.

Fast bowler Adam Milne rattled the tourists early, claiming both openers inside four overs. Abhishek Sharma fell for one in the second over, followed swiftly by Sanju Samson for four, reducing India to 19 for two.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan swiftly turned the momentum with a fiery 93-run third-wicket stand. Kishan took the attack to the hosts with a belligerent 61 off 32 balls (five fours, five sixes), while Iyer attacked the bowling with clean ball-striking to reach his 50 off 23 balls.

The Black Caps mounted a fightback in the middle overs. Blair Tickner broke the partnership by removing Kishan, before Nathan Smith struck twice in successive overs to dismiss Iyer (50) and Tilak Varma (caught and bowled for 6). The cluster of wickets slowed India's march from 112 for two to 133 for 5.

Naman Dhir provided useful lower-order aggression with a brisk cameo, and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in before Milne returned to finish with four wickets, cleaning up Reddy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to restrict India to 191 for eight.

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