Cricket News | Match Report
Rain ended India’s series decider against West Indies in Bengaluru, leaving both teams level at 2–2 after five T20Is. India had reached 118/5 in 7.4 overs in the rain-shortened contest when the weather stopped play again.
India and West Indies shared the honors after the fifth T20I in Bengaluru was abandoned because of rain on October 17, 2026. India had scored 118/5 in 7.4 overs in a contest reduced to nine overs per side, but a fresh interruption prevented West Indies from beginning their chase. The result left the five-match series tied 2–2.
The weather denied both teams a proper finish to a competitive series. India produced another burst of aggressive batting, led by Ishan Kishan’s 30 off 10 balls and Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 24 off six. West Indies, meanwhile, had already shown across the series that they could match India’s power-hitting. Shai Hope finished as the leading run-scorer and was named Player of the Series.
The washout also meant that Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to India’s T20I setup did not get the opportunity for a full on-field examination. With no West Indies innings, the fifth match ultimately offered a scoreline but no completed contest.
Table of Contents
India vs West Indies 5th T20I: Match Summary
The fifth match could not produce a result after rain interrupted the shortened contest.
| Match | India vs West Indies, 5th T20I |
|---|---|
| Date | October 17, 2026 |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Toss | West Indies won and elected to field |
| Match Format | Nine overs per side |
| India | 118/5 in 7.4 overs |
| West Indies | Did not bat |
| Result | No result; five-match series drawn 2–2 |
| Player of the Series | Shai Hope (West Indies) |
India vs West Indies 5th T20I: Quick Scorecard
India — 118/5 in 7.4 overs
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 30 | 10 |
| Sanju Samson | 16 | 7 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 22 | 14 |
| Tilak Varma | 7 | 6 |
| Naman Dhir | 24* | 6 |
West Indies bowling: Shamar Springer 2/17; Keemo Paul 2/34.
West Indies innings: Did not bat.
The match was abandoned before West Indies could begin their chase. India’s total therefore remained the only completed innings of the evening.
How Rain Stopped the India vs West Indies Decider
Rain affected the match before it could settle into a normal rhythm. The toss was delayed, and the scheduled contest was eventually reduced to nine overs per side. West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and chose to field, giving his bowlers the chance to attack in a shortened game.
India made full use of the limited time available, scoring quickly during the powerplay and continuing to attack after losing wickets. The innings had reached 118/5 after 7.4 overs when rain returned. With the conditions preventing the match from continuing, the umpires eventually called it off.
The timing was especially frustrating because the game had reached a stage where the final overs could have changed the outcome. India had a substantial total on the board for a nine-over innings, but a target was never set for West Indies. The series was consequently shared rather than decided by the final match.
India’s Explosive Start: Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir Lead the Charge
India approached the shortened innings with the urgency the format demanded. There was little room for a cautious start, and the top order immediately looked to score against the field restrictions.
Ishan Kishan sets the tempo
Ishan Kishan made 30 from just 10 balls, combining boundary-hitting with quick scoring between the wickets. His innings gave India early momentum, although Shamar Joseph eventually removed him. In a nine-over match, a fast start can have an outsized effect because each over represents a significant share of the innings.
Shreyas Iyer adds stability and pace
Shreyas Iyer contributed 22 off 14 balls. His innings helped India continue scoring after the early aggression, though West Indies kept finding wickets at important moments. Sanju Samson also made a quick 16 from seven deliveries before being dismissed.
Naman Dhir finishes with a burst
Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 24 from six balls gave the innings a late surge. He struck three sixes and a four, pushing India to 118/5 at the point rain stopped play. His cameo was particularly valuable in a shortened game, where a handful of attacking deliveries can add a meaningful number of runs.
India had the scoring rate and late acceleration needed for a competitive total. The unanswered question was whether that score would have been enough against a West Indies batting lineup that had shown considerable power throughout the series.
West Indies Bowlers Keep Taking Wickets
The scoreline was impressive for India, but West Indies did not allow the innings to become a completely uninterrupted hitting display. Their bowlers picked up wickets while trying to control the scoring rate.
Shamar Springer returned figures of 2/17, while Keemo Paul took 2/34. Shamar Joseph also made an important contribution by dismissing Kishan after the opener’s rapid start. Those breakthroughs mattered because they prevented India from keeping every batter at the crease through the shortened innings.
The economy figures need to be read in context: a nine-over match naturally encourages aggressive batting, and bowlers have limited time to build pressure. Even so, West Indies took five wickets before the interruption and left India with work still to do in the final part of the innings.
Shai Hope Named Player of the Series
Shai Hope was the standout run-scorer across the five-match T20I series. He finished with 261 runs in four innings at an average of 130.5 and was named Player of the Series. His consistency was a major reason West Indies remained competitive against India.
Hope’s award reflected his impact across the series rather than anything he could do in the washed-out final match. With West Indies unable to bat in Bengaluru, he had no opportunity to add to his tally in the decider.
Keemo Paul was another important performer for the visitors, finishing with eight wickets across three matches. His wicket-taking contribution gave West Indies another source of impact beyond their batting, especially during a series in which both teams repeatedly looked capable of producing big totals.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Return Ends Without a Bowling Spell
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inclusion was one of the notable talking points before the fifth T20I. He returned to India’s T20I setup after a long absence, replacing the injured Arshdeep Singh in the squad. The selection offered India an experienced pace option for the series decider.
The weather, however, meant the match never progressed to a West Indies innings. As a result, Bhuvneshwar did not get the chance to bowl in the game. His return remains a selection development, but the abandoned match provided no meaningful evidence about his bowling rhythm or match impact.
For India, the next opportunity to assess their pace options will come during the upcoming international schedule. Any conclusions about Bhuvneshwar’s role should be based on his performances when he gets a full match, rather than on a rain-affected appearance.
What the 2–2 Series Draw Means for India and West Indies
India preserve their home T20I series record
The drawn series means India did not lose a home T20I series. Their unbeaten home bilateral T20I series run, which dates back to 2019, remains intact. A no-result in the decider is different from winning the series outright, but it was enough to prevent West Indies from claiming the trophy.
West Indies leave with evidence of progress
West Indies pushed India through the series and finished level rather than allowing the hosts to pull away. Hope’s run-scoring and the contribution from the bowling group were central to that effort. The visitors will still be disappointed that rain removed their chance to compete for a series win in the final match.
The final result does not erase the close contests
The 2–2 scoreline reflects a series in which both sides had successful spells. India showed their ability to recover and score quickly, while West Indies demonstrated that they could challenge the hosts with aggressive batting and timely wickets. The final match offered no winner, so the series ends with shared honors rather than a decisive final statement.
What Happens Next for India and West Indies?
India now turn their attention to the New Zealand tour, which begins on October 22, 2026, and includes T20Is, ODIs and Test cricket. The tour will give the team another chance to assess combinations and build momentum across formats.
West Indies are scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for a two-match ICC World Test Championship series beginning on October 28. The format will change, but the team’s challenge remains to carry the confidence gained from a competitive series into its next assignment.
For readers following the latest fixtures and squad news, check the official cricket boards and tournament sources before each match, as schedules and team updates can change.
Final Verdict: Rain Denies Both Teams a Decisive Finish
The India vs West Indies 5th T20I ended without a result, leaving the five-match series tied 2–2. India’s 118/5 in 7.4 overs featured a quick start from Ishan Kishan and a powerful late cameo from Naman Dhir, while West Indies took five wickets before the weather intervened.
Shai Hope’s 261 runs made him the series’ leading batter and Player of the Series, while Keemo Paul’s eight wickets highlighted West Indies’ bowling contribution. The final match could not settle which team was stronger on the night, but the series as a whole delivered competitive cricket from both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match was abandoned because rain returned during India’s innings and conditions did not allow play to resume. India were 118/5 after 7.4 overs when play stopped.
India scored 118/5 in 7.4 overs in a match reduced to nine overs per side. West Indies did not bat.
The five-match T20I series ended in a 2–2 draw after the fifth match was abandoned without a result.
West Indies captain Shai Hope was named Player of the Series after scoring 261 runs in four innings at an average of 130.5.
Ishan Kishan scored 30 runs off 10 balls, giving India an aggressive start before he was dismissed by Shamar Joseph.
Naman Dhir remained unbeaten on 24 from six balls, including three sixes and a four, before rain stopped the innings.
No. The match was abandoned during India’s innings, so West Indies never began their chase and Bhuvneshwar did not get a bowling opportunity.
Sources and Match Verification
This report is based on official match information and published post-match coverage.
- ICC — India and West Indies share T20I series honours
- BCCI — India vs West Indies, 5th T20I match centre
- The Indian Express — Rain forces series draw in Bengaluru
- India Today — India vs West Indies 5th T20I match coverage
Editorial note: Match result, score and series statistics are reported from the sources above. This article does not treat the abandoned match as a win for either team.
