Why Matt Henry is Not Playing Today in IND vs NZ 5th T20I?

The New Zealand tour of India is finally nearing its end as the two teams are clashing against each other in the fifth and final match of the T20I series. The match is taking place at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31.

The Men in Blue have already sealed the series 3-1 and would want to end it in a high note. Meanwhile, the Blackcaps have made some changes in their playing XI for the final match as pacer Matt Henry has been dropped.

Why Matt Henry is Not Playing Today?

New Zealand's star pacer Matt Henry is not playing the IND vs NZ 5th T20I. There are no reports regarding any injuries or fitness issues, however, its been speculated that the Kiwis are trying to experiment a new bowling combination ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been included in the playing XI as Matt Henry replacement for this match. Ferguson is a highly experienced bowler who has done well for New Zealand previously as well. He can bowl at a high pace and can be lethal at any stage of the innings.

Interestingly, Ferguson was last appeared in a T20I match back in November 2024 against Sri Lanka, where the star pacer bowled only two overs but made a big impact by picking up three wickets while conceding only seven runs.

In the ongoing match, Ferguson removed the dangerous looking Abhishek Sharma, the best T20 batsman in the world currently. His extra pace clearly gives him an added advantage over the others.

How has Matt Henry Fared in IND vs NZ T20Is?

Matt Henry's outings in the ongoing series have been modest. The right-arm pacer played three matches in the series and managed to take only three wickets at an average of 31, while conceding 93 runs in the eight overs he has bowled throughout the series.
Despite his low-key returns, Henry remains one of the best bowlers in the world and carries a lot of experience in the shortest format of the game. He has played 34 T20I matches in his career and taken 43 wickets at an average of 22.97. The star pacer might not have a great series but has picked up wickets with the new ball consistently, which makes him a threat for the opposition.