India and the West Indies shared the five-match T20I series 2-2 after rain forced the abandonment of the fifth and final match on Saturday. The game was called off at 10:18 pm, with India at 118/5 after 7.4 overs in a match reduced to nine overs per side.
Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir provided the biggest contributions with the bat as India scored quickly after being asked to bat first. However, persistent rain prevented the West Indies from getting an opportunity to chase the target, bringing the series to an end without a winner.
Ishan Kishan, Naman Dhir Lead India’s Batting Charge
After a long wait due to rain that began around 4 pm, play finally started at 9:15 pm. With only nine overs available, India’s batters wasted little time in attacking the West Indies bowlers.
Abhishek Sharma opened India’s innings with a six off Keemo Paul but could not make the most of the start. He attempted another flick off the pacer, only to be caught by Shamar Joseph near the edge of the circle.
Kishan then took charge and went after Romario Shepherd in a costly over. The left-hander smashed two sixes and two fours, collecting 24 runs from the over. His scooped six over square leg was one of the highlights of the innings.
Kishan scored 30 runs off just 10 balls, giving India the quick start they needed in the shortened contest.
Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer Add Quick Runs
Sanju Samson also looked in good touch during his brief stay at the crease. He played an impressive uppercut off Shamar Joseph, sending the ball over point for a six.
However, the West Indies fought back by removing both Kishan and Samson. Rovman Powell caught Kishan after a mistimed shot off Joseph, while Shamar Springer bowled Samson by hitting his off-stump.
India captain Shreyas Iyer tried to keep the scoring rate high and played some strong shots. He was dropped on 18 but could not convert the opportunity into a bigger score. Keemo Paul eventually dismissed him, with Joseph taking the catch in the deep.
India had reached 88/4 in the seventh over and needed a strong finish to put a challenging total on the board.
Naman Dhir Provides Late Fireworks
Dhir stepped up in the final overs and gave India the late push they needed. The batter remained unbeaten on 24 off just six deliveries, hitting two sixes and a four off Paul.
His quick scoring helped India reach 118/5 in 7.4 overs, putting the team in a strong position to set a difficult target despite the reduced format. Tilak Varma, meanwhile, struggled to find his rhythm during his stay at the crease.
India’s innings came to a halt at 10:03 pm when rain returned. The West Indies needed to bat for at least five overs for a result to be possible, with the cut-off time set at 10:21 pm.
Rain Denies West Indies a Chance to Chase
The weather showed no signs of improving, and the umpires eventually called off the match at 10:18 pm.
The abandonment meant the series ended in a 2-2 draw, with neither side able to claim victory in the final game. The West Indies had pushed India hard throughout the series, making the contest a closely fought one against the defending two-time T20 World Cup champions.
Shai Hope Shines for West Indies
West Indies captain Shai Hope was one of the standout performers of the series. He finished with 261 runs across four matches, including two centuries, playing a key role in his team’s strong showing.
Although the final match could not produce a result, the series highlighted the West Indies’ ability to challenge India and ensured the five-match contest ended with the honours shared.