"The batting becomes slightly weak after that" - Ajinkya Rahane suggests a change in India's playing 11 for NZ vs IND 2026 5th T20I

Former India player Ajinkya Rahane has noted that he would want to include Kuldeep Yadav in the Men in Blue's playing XI for the fifth T20I against New Zealand. However, he acknowledged that such a move would slightly weaken the visitors' batting.

The final T20I between India and New Zealand will be played in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1. Although Shreyas Iyer and company suffered an 87-run loss in the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday, they have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Previewing the game on SonyLIV, Rahane was asked whether he sees either Kuldeep or Varun Chakaravarthy being given a chance in the final T20I.

"We want to see two spinners because both are quality spinners. However, I feel the management is focusing on the conditions while picking the playing XI, and you don't get that much batting depth either. If you play an extra bowler, you don't have that batting option," the cricketer-turned-commentator responded.

"Nitish Kumar Reddy gives you batting and bowling options. Shreyas Iyer has used Naman Dhir for one or two overs whenever he gets a chance. So you get depth in batting. I personally want to see Kuldeep Yadav come into the playing XI, but the problem is who you would make sit out because the batting becomes slightly weak after that," he added.

Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy haven't featured in India's playing XI in the first four T20Is against New Zealand. The team management has opted to play Axar Patel as the lone frontline spinner, with Naman Dhir bowling just two overs across the four games.

"With 3-2, it seems like the other team came close to you" - Ajinkya Rahane on India wanting to win the series 4-1

In the same interaction, Ajinkya Rahane was asked whether it would make a difference whether India wins the series 4-1 or 3-2.

"There is a difference for sure. Even in the fourth T20I, I am sure the Indian team would have thought that they would win the series 5-0 if they won that game. That number looks good when you dominate the series. With 3-2, it seems like the other team came close to you. New Zealand played good cricket in the first two T20Is, but the way the Indian team dominated the third T20I, they will try to win the fifth T20I as well and win the series 4-1," he replied.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain opined that Shreyas Iyer would opt to chase if he wins the toss again in the final T20I.

"If you win the toss, you would want to bowl only because you have had success with that. In bilateral series, you look to win all the matches. If Shreyas Iyer wins the toss in the next T20I, he will try to bowl first," Rahane observed.

Ajinkya Rahane chose Shreyas Iyer as India's key player heading into the fifth T20I against New Zealand. He also expressed hope that Arshdeep Singh would be among the wickets in the final game of the series.

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