India will look to end their T20I series against New Zealand on a positive note when the two sides meet in the fifth and final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Although the hosts have already secured the five-match series by winning the first three games, they suffered a 50-run defeat in the fourth T20I.

New Zealand posted a challenging total of 215 for 7 in the previous match, with Tim Seifert striking an aggressive half-century. Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell added valuable contributions to push the visitors to a commanding score. In response, Shivam Dube provided resistance with a powerful knock, but India failed to keep up with the required run rate and fell well short.

With this match being India’s final T20I before the upcoming T20 World Cup, the team management is expected to field players who are likely to feature in the global tournament.

Sanju Samson is set for a crucial outing in front of his home crowd. The wicketkeeper-batter has managed just 40 runs across four matches in the series and will be keen to regain form. He is expected to open the batting alongside the in-form Abhishek Sharma.

Ishan Kishan is likely to return to the XI and slot in at No. 3, while captain Suryakumar Yadav is expected to move back to his preferred No. 4 position. Shivam Dube is set to retain his place following his recent performance and is also expected to provide a bowling option if required.

Axar Patel, who missed games earlier due to a finger injury sustained in the opening T20I, is expected to make his comeback. India’s spin attack is likely to feature Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav as specialist spinners.

In the pace department, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to lead the attack. All-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to be rested after featuring in the first four matches of the series.

India predicted XI for 5th T20I vs New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.

Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

What caused the runtime difference

The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.

The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.

What viewers noticed on Netflix

Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.

Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.

Is Netflix streaming a censored cut

Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.

Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.

In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.

Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.

Shivam Dube produced a sensational counter-attacking half-century, but India suffered a comprehensive 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, as the visitors narrowed the series margin to 3-1.

Chasing a stiff target of 216, India’s innings never gathered momentum after losing early wickets. Dube’s blistering knock of 65 off just 23 balls briefly lifted hopes, but the hosts were eventually dismissed for 165.

India’s chase got off to a disastrous start with Abhishek Sharma falling to the very first ball, mistiming Matt Henry to deep point. Suryakumar Yadav followed soon after, undone by a sharp return catch from Jacob Duffy, leaving India reeling at 9 for two.

Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson attempted to stabilise the innings, but both struggled to accelerate against disciplined New Zealand bowling. Rinku scored 39 before being trapped leg-before by Zak Foulkes, while Samson’s promising stay ended when Mitchell Santner beat him with a straight delivery.

Hardik Pandya failed to make an impact, and India slipped further to 82 for five in the 11th over. It was then that Dube launched a fierce counter-attack, displaying remarkable power and composure despite the rising asking rate.

Dube survived a leg-before decision on 46 via DRS and punished leg-spinner Ish Sodhi with a stunning 29-run over, including five boundaries and three sixes. He brought up his fifty in just 15 balls, clearing the ropes off Duffy, but lacked support from the other end. The sixth-wicket stand added 63 runs, though Harshit Rana contributed only four.

Dube’s innings came to an unfortunate end when Rana’s straight drive deflected off Henry’s hand and crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end, effectively ending India’s chase.

Earlier, New Zealand laid the foundation for their imposing total through an explosive opening stand between Tim Seifert and Devon Conway. Seifert top-scored with 62 off 36 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes, while Conway made 44.

The pair raced to 71 without loss in the Power Play and stitched together a 100-run opening partnership. Though India managed to pull things back in the middle overs by taking quick wickets, Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 39 off 18 balls powered New Zealand past the 200-run mark.

Despite a brief slowdown, the visitors finished with a commanding total that proved too much for India on the night.