High-scoring series concludes with tense decider in Bengaluru

High-scoring series concludes with tense decider in Bengaluru

The weather could complicate the series finale, with India and West Indies locked at 2-2.

Big picture - A finale a remarkable tour deserves

What started as a bit of a lark turned into a competitive series. The West Indies, not part of the last ODI World Cup and still fighting to qualify for the next, arrived in India three weeks ago while India was prioritizing the Asian Games, sending a less competitive squad. Initially, it seemed justified to think, “now you know why they need to play qualifiers.” After two matches, Shai Hope led the West Indies to a successful chase of 352 after a heartbreak where they scored 400 in a prior game, raising questions about outcomes had they won the tosses.

As the T20Is commenced, both teams bolstered their lineups. The West Indies leveled the series in Ranchi, chasing down 250, reminding fans of what could have been without Jasprit Bumrah in the World Cup semi-final earlier this year. Eventually, India managed to defend a total for the first time this tour but the West Indies answered back, successfully defending in Hyderabad.

India, once the greatest T20 team, now appears vulnerable without Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. The West Indies, ranking No. 7 in T20I and No. 10 in ODIs, find themselves a win away from claiming honors against India. A series win would mark the first for any touring side in T20Is in India since February 2019.

In the spotlight - Shai Hope and Sanju Samson

This has been Shai Hope’s tour: 278 ODI runs from 248 balls and 261 T20I runs from 135 balls. He surpassed Brian Lara as the second-highest ODI centurion for the West Indies and overtook Chris Gayle for the T20I marks. Matches where India dismissed Hope saw them win, while matches where he went unbeaten resulted in losses for India.

Sanju Samson has notched two half-centuries and has become tactically essential for India, especially evident in his high-scoring start in Hyderabad.

Team news: Not the time for changes

With small boundaries and unless pitch conditions change drastically, India is expected to stick with the same XI. Possible lineup: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh. West Indies may stick with their combination, including Jewel Andrew and Romario Shepherd.

Pitch and conditions

Bengaluru is usually a batting paradise, but rain may disrupt play, posing challenges for both teams.

Stats and trivia

The series has seen 98 sixes, just shy of the record 120 in a bilateral series between ICC full members. The West Indies haven’t won a series against India in India since 2002.

Conclusion

All eyes are now on the decider in Bengaluru, where history could be made for the visiting side.