Bengaluru: The fifth and final T20I between India and West Indies was called off due to rain after a truncated nine-over-per-side contest began at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
With the series level at 2-2, the trophy will be shared between India and West Indies.
After a rain delay, the match resumed as a nine-over-per-side affair. However, India’s innings was cut short at 118/5 in 7.4 overs. Ishan Kishan (30 not out off 10 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Naman Dhir (24 not out off six balls, with a four and three sixes) played entertaining knocks. Shamar Springer and Keemo Paul took two wickets each for West Indies.
Asked to bat first by the West Indies, India got off to a poor start as Abhishek Sharma (6) was caught by Shamar Joseph at mid-wicket shortly after hitting a six. India were 13/1 in 0.5 overs.
In the next over, Kishan took on Romario Shepherd, restoring momentum with a 24-run over. He began with a flick over fine leg for a six, followed by a four, another six and another four. Shepherd also bowled a wide, taking India’s score to 38 in two overs.
Kishan began the next over by slicing a four over the cover region, but the pacer had the last laugh, dismissing him for 30 off 10 balls, with three fours and two sixes. India were 45/2 in 2.3 overs. Sanju Samson ended the over with a four and a six over deep backward point, taking India to 55/2 in three overs.
Gudakesh Motie’s fourth over was quieter, conceding just a four to Samson and 10 runs in total. However, Springer bowled Samson for seven-ball 16, leaving India at 66/3 in 4.1 overs. At the end of five overs, India were 73/3, with captain Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma at the crease.
In the sixth over, Iyer hit two fours off Gudakesh and also survived a run-out chance. He could not shift into a higher gear, and a catch by Shamar Joseph gave Keemo his wicket for 22 off 14 balls. India were 88/4 in 6.1 overs.
Dhir then arrived at the crease and shifted the momentum in India’s favour, announcing his arrival with a six, a four and another six against Keemo. India reached the 100-run mark in 6.4 overs.
Tilak was bowled by Springer for seven off six balls, reducing India to 118/5 in 7.4 overs. Rain interrupted play immediately after the wicket, and the match was called off.