Persistent rain in Bengaluru brought an end to the fifth and final T20I between India and the West Indies on Saturday, October 17, as the series decider at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was abandoned without a result. The five-match series finished level at 2-2.
India had made an explosive start after the match was reduced to nine overs per side because of earlier rain delays. However, another spell of rain interrupted the hosts’ innings before they could complete their allotted overs.
India Post 118/5 in 7.4 Overs
India reached 118 for five in 7.4 overs before persistent showers forced the players off the field. Ishan Kishan led the scoring with a quick 30 off 10 balls, while Naman Dhir contributed 24 from just six deliveries. Shreyas Iyer added 22 runs.
For the West Indies, Keemo Paul claimed two wickets for 34 runs, while Shamar Springer finished with two for 17. The visitors were unable to begin their chase as the weather continued to disrupt proceedings.
The shortened contest had raised hopes of a result after the teams lost significant playing time to rain. However, the conditions did not improve sufficiently for the West Indies to complete a chase.
Series Ends in a 2-2 Draw
The abandonment means India and the West Indies share the series after winning two matches each. Both sides had entered the final T20I with an opportunity to claim the series outright.
India won the opening and third matches, while the West Indies responded with victories in the second and fourth games to level the contest at 2-2.
The result denied both teams a decisive finish to a competitive series. It also ended India’s hopes of extending their run of consecutive bilateral T20I series victories at home to 12.
Rain Disappoints Bengaluru Crowd
The match marked the return of international cricket to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after a two-year gap. Despite the anticipation surrounding the series decider, spectators witnessed only 46 balls of India’s innings before the game was abandoned.
With the final match washed out, India and the West Indies finish the T20I series honours even at 2-2.
