Bengaluru, October 2026 : India's long-awaited return to international cricket at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in disappointment on Saturday as persistent rain forced the abandonment of the fifth and final T20 International against the West Indies. The washout left the five-match series tied at 2-2, denying both teams an opportunity to claim the series-deciding victory.
The match was called off at 10:16 pm after India had reached 118 for five in 7.4 overs. With insufficient time remaining to complete even a five-over chase requiring the West Indies to score 84 runs, officials abandoned the contest before the scheduled 10:21 pm cut-off. Players subsequently exchanged handshakes and hugs.
The result also denied the West Indies a chance to secure their first series victory in India since 2002. However, the visitors could take encouragement from their competitive performances over the past three weeks across both the One-Day International and T20I formats.
Rain Disrupts Long-Awaited Return
The prospect of a complete match had remained uncertain throughout the day. Although the probability of rain reportedly fell from 70 per cent to 30 per cent in the morning, persistent drizzle through the evening prevented ground staff from preparing the playing area, delaying the scheduled toss at 6:30 pm.
The rain eventually eased around 8:30 pm, allowing the toss to take place. The match was subsequently reduced to nine overs per side, with play scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm.
However, the drizzle returned during India's innings and intensified shortly after Shamar Springer dismissed Tilak Varma in the eighth over. The umpires called for covers to protect the pitch and square, and the weather ultimately prevented any further action.
The spectators, who had waited patiently for hours, witnessed only a brief but entertaining display of aggressive batting.
Kishan Leads India's Explosive Start
Asked to bat first, India made two changes to their line-up. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned after 1,437 days, while Shivam Dube came into the side in place of Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was ruled out because of illness.
Keemo Paul initially troubled India's batters with movement off the new ball but lost control during the same over, conceding five wides down the leg side after overstepping.
Abhishek Sharma failed to connect with the free hit but responded by launching the next delivery over deep mid-wicket for six. His innings, however, ended at six when he flicked the following ball straight to Shamar Joseph at mid-wicket.
Ishan Kishan then seized control of the innings, taking 24 runs off Romario Shepherd's first over. The left-hander produced an eye-catching scoop on one knee over fine leg, sending the ball over the stadium roof.
Kishan's explosive innings ended when Shamar Joseph deceived him with a disguised slower delivery. Kishan was caught at mid-on for 30 off just 10 balls, having struck three fours and two sixes.
Sanju Samson maintained the momentum, helping India reach their fastest team fifty in T20 internationals in just 2.5 overs. He followed a boundary with a six over the off side before Springer bowled him for 16 with his first delivery.
Dhir Provides Late Fireworks
Shreyas Iyer struggled to find consistent timing but managed 22 off 14 deliveries. He survived a run-out opportunity and a dropped catch by Sherfane Rutherford before mistiming a shot off Paul and being caught at deep mid-wicket.
Naman Dhir supplied the late acceleration, smashing 16 runs off his first three deliveries against Paul. He struck two sixes and a boundary, finishing unbeaten on 24 from just six balls.
Paul claimed two wickets for 34 runs, while Springer returned figures of two for 17. Their efforts, however, were overshadowed by the weather, which brought the contest to an early end.
India and the West Indies will therefore finish the five-match T20I series level at 2-2, with the Bengaluru encounter producing an anticlimactic conclusion to an otherwise competitive contest.
Brief Scores: India 118/5 in 7.4 overs (Ishan Kishan 30, Naman Dhir 24 not out; Shamar Springer 2/17, Keemo Paul 2/34) vs West Indies. Match abandoned due to rain.
