Rain washes out India v West Indies T20I decider in Bengaluru after Kishan blitz, series shared 2-2

Rain had the final say in Bengaluru on Saturday, 17 October, as the fifth and deciding T20I between India and West Indies was abandoned without a result, leaving the five-match series shared at 2-2. India had raced to 118 for five in 7.4 overs of a match cut to nine overs per side when the rain returned at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and West Indies never got to start their chase.

A two-hour wait, then a sprint

The scheduled 7pm local start (9.30pm in Malaysia) came and went as rain kept the covers on for more than two hours. When the toss finally took place, West Indies captain Shai Hope chose to bowl, and the match was trimmed to nine overs a side with a shortened powerplay.

India made two changes for the decider. Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the T20I side for the first time in four years, and all-rounder Shivam Dube also came in. Bhuvneshwar ended up not bowling a ball.

Kishan and Dhir light up the short innings

Abhishek Sharma fell early for 6, caught by Shamar Joseph, but Ishan Kishan made sure India did not slow down. The left-hander smashed 30 from just 10 balls, with three fours and two sixes, and took 24 runs off a single Romario Shepherd over before he was dismissed with India on 45 for two in the third over.

Sanju Samson added a quick 16 off seven balls before Shamar Springer bowled him, and captain Shreyas Iyer made 22 off 14 before Keemo Paul had him caught by Joseph. Naman Dhir then provided the late fireworks, hitting three sixes and a four in an unbeaten 24 from six balls as India passed 100 in the seventh over. Tilak Varma was bowled by Springer for 7, and moments later the rain came back.

Paul and Springer finished with two wickets each for West Indies. With the weather refusing to clear, West Indies were left facing a revised target over five overs that they never had the chance to attempt, and the match was called off before the cut-off point.

How the series played out

The two sides traded wins throughout the series. India won the first and third matches, while West Indies hit back each time, including a 24-run victory in Hyderabad in the fourth match that levelled the series at 2-2. In that game Hope hit an unbeaten 102 and Keemo Paul took five wickets.

With no reserve day for the decider, the washout meant the trophy was shared.

What it means

For West Indies, holding India to a drawn series in India is a creditable result, built on Hope's leadership with the bat and a pace attack that kept taking wickets at key moments. For India, the decider offered a brief glimpse of the attacking intent they want from their top order, with Kishan and Dhir scoring at more than three runs a ball.

India's attention now turns to a tour of New Zealand, with the squad due to travel shortly after the Bengaluru match.

Key takeaways

• The fifth T20I in Bengaluru was abandoned on 17 October with India on 118-5 after 7.4 overs.
• The five-match series finished 2-2 and the trophy was shared.
• Ishan Kishan hit 30 off 10 balls and Naman Dhir 24 not out off six.
• Keemo Paul and Shamar Springer took two wickets each for West Indies.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to India's T20I XI after four years but did not bowl.

FAQ

Who won the India v West Indies T20I series? Nobody. The series finished 2-2 after the fifth match in Bengaluru was washed out, so the trophy was shared.

Did West Indies bat in the fifth T20I? No. Rain returned after India's innings reached 118-5 in 7.4 overs, and the match was abandoned before West Indies could begin their chase.

Who captained the two teams? Shreyas Iyer led India and Shai Hope captained West Indies.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Outlook India, Asianet Newsable, Yardbarker