India vs West Indies: Rain threat looms over T20I series decider in Bengaluru

Indian cricket team (PTI Photo) Bengaluru: Evening showers have kept Bengaluru drenched for the past few days and the weekend forecast offers little respite. That’s hardly welcome news ahead of the India-West Indies T20I series decider on Saturday night, with rain threatening a contest that promises plenty of fireworks.With the high-scoring series tied at 2-2, both teams will be desperate for a complete game. There is another incentive for India: they have not lost a bilateral T20I series at home since February 2019.In the opener, India chased down a modest target of 172 with eight wickets to spare, but the match took a different turn from then on. The next three matches produced a staggering 1,403 runs in 118 overs, with the batsmen dominating and the bowlers struggling to keep the score under wraps.The second match in Ranchi was a reality check for the Indian bowling attack. Chasing a target of 250, West Indies exposed the vulnerability of an attack lacking Jasprit Bumrah. The series highlighted how vital both Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are to India’s T20 plans.Arshdeep Singh came through at key times, especially in Indore, but the pace attack lacked consistency. When quick runs escaped in the Powerplay, the spinners were left to contain the damage, often to no avail.Arshdeep, who was hit on the shoulder by the bowling of bouncer Shamar Joseph in the previous match in Hyderabad, remains a doubt. The addition of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad could be a timely boost for the hosts.The 36-year-old is no stranger to Chinnaswamy, where he made his T20I debut against Pakistan. Although his last T20I appearance came against New Zealand in Napier in November 2022, he has since enjoyed considerable success with RCB in the IPL.Bowling coach Morne Morkel did not rule out Arshdeep’s participation. “He (Arshdeep) is recovering well so I think he is definitely not ruled out and is still available. I am also very excited to have Bhuvneshwar back in the mix,” he said.While India’s bowling has come under scrutiny, the batting has not been without its flaws. Even in the midst of run-fests, they struggled to maintain their momentum.