Rain abandons fifth T20I, India-West Indies series drawn 2-2

Naman Dhir’s six-ball burst ends in rain as India-West Indies series drawn

Persistent rain in Bengaluru forced the fifth T20I between India and West Indies to be abandoned after only 7.4 overs, leaving the five-match series level at 2-2.

The result ended India’s 12-series winning streak at home, a run that had lasted four years. It also denied both teams a decider after West Indies’ limited-overs tour of India had produced a closely contested contest across formats.

India make 118 in a shortened contest

The match had already been reduced to a nine-over shootout after rain delayed the toss for two-and-a-half hours. West Indies won the toss and chose to field, but only 7.4 overs of play were possible before another spell of rain brought India’s innings to an early end.

India reached 118 for 5 in that brief period, with Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir providing the most explosive contributions. Kishan struck two sixes in a 10-ball 30, while Dhir remained unbeaten on 24 from six deliveries.

The Cricbuzz score details recorded Dhir’s innings as including three sixes and a four. His first-ball six came after rain had begun to threaten the contest again, and he continued attacking as the conditions deteriorated.

Abhishek Sharma opened India’s innings with a six over the leg side but was dismissed off the next ball after Keemo Paul shortened his length. Kishan then maintained India’s scoring rate by taking 24 runs from Romario Shepherd’s second over.

The pitch produced some unexpected extra bounce during that over, although the outfield remained quick despite the rain. Kishan was eventually dismissed by Shamar Joseph while attempting another flat-batted shot, having scored 30 off 10 balls.

Sanju Samson, who had faced very few deliveries until then, used the width on offer to hit a four and a six. India had moved to 56 for 2 after three overs.

Dhir attacks as rain returns

West Indies turned to spin through Gudakesh Motie, who adjusted his lines to prevent India’s batters from finding the hitting arc. Shreyas Iyer started with two fours but struggled to settle and was dropped on 18 before being dismissed for 22.

As the drizzle added more grip to the surface and the ball became wetter, Dhir began his short stay with a first-ball six. He finished unbeaten on 24 off six deliveries, with three sixes and a four included in his innings.

Tilak Varma was dismissed as the showers grew heavier, after which the players left the field and did not return. The match was ultimately abandoned because of rain, with India’s score at 118 for 5 in 7.4 overs.

The brief score listed Ishan Kishan on 30 and Naman Dhir unbeaten on 24, while Shamar Springer and Keemo Paul were recorded with two wickets each in the score details. Cricinfo’s report separately identified Springer as the pick of the West Indies bowlers, listing figures of 1.4-0-17-2.

West Indies miss chance to chase

Had the rain stopped in time for a five-over chase, West Indies would have needed 84 runs to win. The interruption therefore prevented the visitors from testing India’s total, despite the match having been structured as a nine-over contest.

The drainage at M Chinnaswamy Stadium was good enough for play to begin soon after the rain stopped, allowing the match to move ahead as a shortened game. However, the fresh showers arrived before West Indies could begin their innings, bringing the series-decider to an end.

The abandoned match had another significance for India because Bhuvneshwar Kumar was due to bowl in international cricket for the first time since 2022. The five-over format could have allowed him to bowl two overs, since one bowler is permitted to deliver two overs when a T20 innings is reduced to five overs.

That return did not take place. Bhuvneshwar was also scheduled to travel on the next morning to New Zealand, where India are set to play the first of five T20Is on Thursday.

The series therefore ended without a winner, while India’s home winning run stopped at 12 series. West Indies nevertheless leave the tour with the significance of having ended that streak and with the earlier ODI result in which they chased down 350 in the only match they got to bat second, even though they lost that series 2-1.