IND vs WI, 5th T20I: Bhuvi back to stop the sixes as rain threatens to spoil the show

Bengaluru’s rain clouds threaten to dampen the series, which has little shortage of fireworks. India and West Indies head into Saturday’s fifth and final T20I at 2-2, with showers and thunderstorms forecast around the scheduled 7pm kick-off at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. If the weather permits a full game, India will have to find answers to a more immediate problem: how to contain a West Indies batting line-up that has repeatedly exposed their bowling weaknesses. With the visitors having matched India’s firepower and the series on the line, the hosts cannot afford another night of sixes at will.

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel defended his attack, pointing to flat pitches, dew and the difficulty of executing plans with a wet ball. He also urged people to consider the mental fatigue caused by a busy schedule where players come straight from the Asian Games to the West Indies series and travel to Delhi for the ceremony before returning to Bengaluru. But the numbers make reading difficult. Apart from Prince Yadav, none of India’s leading pacers managed to achieve an economy rate of less than 10 runs throughout the series.

Chasing a record of 250 in the second T20I in Ranchi, West Indies crossed 200 but failed to chase down 224 in Indore in the third. However, in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, West Indies smashed 247/3 in 20 overs and successfully defended it by 24 runs to level the series.

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the series, India’s young crop of fast bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, struggled to keep the West Indies batting on flat surfaces.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return could offer India a much-needed check. The 36-year-old was added to the squad after Arshdeep suffered a shoulder injury while bowling in Hyderabad and his ability to swing the new ball and deliver variation at the death could be valuable against the West Indies power hitters.

Bhuvneshwar, who last played for India in 2021, was originally in the squad for the tour of New Zealand later this month, but the 36-year-old will return earlier if he earns a place in the playing XI.

India are also looking to protect a landmark home record: no visiting side has won a bilateral T20I series in India since February 2019 – a run of 20 without being defeated at home.

TEAM NEWS: BHUVI IN?

Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion is the biggest talking point before the decision. His experience could be particularly useful in the powerplay and at the death, two phases in which the Indian pace attack struggled to contain the West Indies. Arshdeep’s availability is uncertain after sustaining a shoulder injury in the fourth T20I, making Bhuvneshwar a strong contender to feature in his place playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. After playing for RCB in Bengaluru, Bhuvi could make his Indian comeback at the same venue. (Photo: PTI)

India might also consider bringing Kuldeep Yadav back into the playing XI. The left-arm wrister played the first two matches but missed the next two and his ability to take wickets through the middle overs could give India an alternative to try and overcome the West Indies. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is another possible option at the top of the order, although a change to the opening combination remains uncertain. Sanju Samson’s 56 off 23 balls in Hyderabad should help him retain his place.

West Indies, meanwhile, have little reason to overhaul a combination that has produced two wins in the last three matches. Hope led from the front while Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford added muscle to the middle order. Keem Paul’s five-wicket haul in Hyderabad also strengthened his case to retain his spot. The visitors will want their aggressive batting to remain intact, especially against an Indian attack that struggled to defend big units.

EXPECTED PLAY XI

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav/Naman Dhir.

West Indies: Shai Hope (c/wk), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR BENGALURU

A big concern before the game is the weather. The India Meteorological Department has forecast generally cloudy skies with one or two rain or thundershowers and a thunderstorm warning in Bengaluru. Temperatures should range between 21°C and 29°C.

The AccuWeather forecast is also for the match which is scheduled to start at 19:00 IST. The chance of precipitation is projected to increase to around 67 percent at 7:00 p.m. and 71 percent at 8:00 p.m., before tapering off later in the evening. These numbers point to a real risk of a late start or interruption during the game.\ Weather forecast for Bengaluru on 17th October. (Photo: AccuWeather)

For a series that has swung between two high-scoring West Indies chases and India’s own big totals, a rain-affected finish would be a disappointing end. If overs are lost, the toss and the ability to adapt quickly to a shortened contest can be decisive. Both sides will also have to reckon with the possibility of a wet ball and dew, which could make it difficult for the bowlers to hold the ball and execute their plans.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is traditionally a batting ground, with a relatively flat surface and short boundaries that encourage an aggressive stroke play. Another high-scoring contest is possible if the match gets underway and the Indian bowlers will have to use their variations rather than relying solely on pace. Spinners who are willing to vary their pace and flight can play a role, especially if they can force batsmen to hit against spin or aim for longer boundaries.

However, the soil has one important advantage when the rain arrives: its SubAir subsurface aeration and vacuum drainage system. Installed in 2017, it uses underground piping and suction technology to remove excess water from the playing surface, helping to dry out the outfield more quickly.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The experienced seamer is a clear player to watch if he makes the XI. Indian pacers have struggled to contain the West Indies and Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the ball early, mask the slower deliveries and control the death may offer another dimension. His job will be to make early runs and prevent Hope and the middle order from settling into another six-run spree.

Sanju Samson

Samson’s 56 off 23 balls in Hyderabad was one of the positives in India’s defeat. His ability to score quickly at the top of the order could help India put West Indies under pressure, especially if the weather reduces the number of overs available. India will need him to turn a promising innings into a decisive contribution in the series finale.

Muscular and focused Sanju Samson took full advantage of Powerplay updates #TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_ | @IamSanjuSamson BCCI (@BCCI) October 9, 2026

West Indies

Shai Hope

Hope was the defining batter of the entire series. His unbeaten 102 off 50 balls in Hyderabad was his second century of the series and helped West Indies post 247 for three. His ability to combine placement with power has made him difficult to control and India will be desperate to dismiss him before he can dictate the next innings.

Shimron Hetmyer

Hetmyer offers West Indies another source of explosive scoring in the middle order. His aggressive approach allows Hope to build the innings at one end as the left-hander attacks the bowling, especially against pace. If India fail to pick up wickets in the middle overs, Hetmyer could make another substantial contribution to the formidable total.

– The end