BackIndia will look to fix their batting problems and win the series when they face the West Indies in the fifth and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (October 17). With the five-match series level at 2-2, both teams have everything to play for in the series decider.
India have managed to post big totals during the series but have struggled to get consistent contributions from their batters. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have shown their ability to score quickly, but they have failed to build steady partnerships in every match. Captain Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir have also struggled to deliver consistently.
The West Indies, on the other hand, have made life difficult for the Indian bowlers. Captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford have been their leading batters and will look to continue their good form in Bengaluru.
India could also consider bringing back wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to strengthen their bowling attack. However, the threat of evening thunderstorms could affect the series decider.
India’s biggest concern is the lack of consistency at the top of the batting order. Samson and Abhishek have scored three half-centuries between them in the series, but their opening partnerships in the first four matches have produced 29, 42, seven and 60 runs.
Samson scored 56 runs during the 60-run opening stand in the fourth T20I. However, Abhishek has struggled to make regular big scores, leaving India dependent on individual performances.
Shreyas Iyer also needs to find his form again. After scoring 102 runs in the opening match, the captain managed only 57 runs across his next three outings.
Ishan Kishan has shown promise but needs to convert his starts into bigger scores. Naman Dhir’s returns of four, 10 and zero have also added to India’s concerns.
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy will need to improve their scoring rate during the middle overs. India will hope their batters can perform together rather than rely on one or two players to do most of the scoring.
India could consider bringing back Kuldeep Yadav for the series decider after leaving the wrist-spinner out of the playing XI in the third and fourth T20Is.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its batting-friendly conditions, but Kuldeep’s experience and ability to take wickets could help India break important partnerships. His inclusion would give the captain another option in the middle overs.
India may also need to assess their fast-bowling combination, especially after Arshdeep Singh suffered a shoulder injury during the fourth T20I. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been added to the squad and could replace him if he is not fit to play.
West Indies will enter the final match with confidence after challenging India throughout the series. Captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford have been their most successful batters.
Hope has scored 261 runs, while Rutherford has added 221 runs across the series. Both batters have played important roles in keeping the visitors competitive.
India will need to dismiss them early to put pressure on the West Indies middle order. The hosts showed in their 14-run victory in the third T20I in Indore that they can contain the visitors when they take wickets at the right time.
The batting-friendly conditions in Bengaluru could suit the West Indies’ aggressive approach. However, the visitors will also need to handle India’s bowling attack and the possibility of rain during the evening.
Both teams are expected to field strong sides for the series decider. India could make changes to their bowling attack, depending on Arshdeep Singh’s fitness and the conditions.
India’s probable playing XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mayank Yadav.
West Indies’ probable playing XI: Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Kamil Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph.
These are the predicted line-ups, and the final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
India have held the advantage over the West Indies in T20 internationals. According to the head-to-head figures provided, the two teams have played 35 matches.
India will look to improve their record further by winning the final match, while West Indies will aim to secure the series with another strong performance.
India’s full squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
West Indies’ full squad: Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.
The fifth and final T20I between India and West Indies will take place on Saturday, October 17, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The toss is scheduled for 6:30 pm IST, while the match will begin at 7 pm IST.
Fans in India can watch the live telecast of the fifth T20I on the Star Sports Network.
The match will also be available for live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website.
With the series level at 2-2, India and West Indies will aim to finish the contest with a win. India’s batting consistency, the possible return of Kuldeep Yadav and the weather in Bengaluru could all play important roles in deciding the series winner.
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