The series couldn’t be tighter — and now the weather might decide it. India and West Indies meet in the 5th T20I at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium tomorrow at 7 PM, with the series locked at 2-2. And the forecast says there’s an 80% chance of rain.
Updated: October 16, 2026, 11:15 AM IST
Quick Read
- 5th T20I: tomorrow, October 17, 7 PM IST, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Live on JioHotstar and Star Sports. The series is 2-2.
- Bengaluru’s forecast shows an 80% rain possibility with temperatures around 24°C, according to ipl.com. If the game is washed out, the series ends shared 2-2.
- India lost the 4th T20I at Hyderabad, where West Indies piled up 247/3 behind Shai Hope’s 102*, then bowled India out for 223.
When and where to watch
Tomorrow, 7 PM IST. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. JioHotstar streams it, Star Sports shows it on TV. A winner-takes-all decider between two teams that have refused to separate all series — the last 10 T20Is between them are split 5-5.
But here’s the twist. The Bengaluru forecast for tomorrow shows an 80% chance of rain, with temperatures near 24°C, per ipl.com’s prediction piece. Chinnaswamy is no stranger to rain interruptions. If the match can’t be completed, the series finishes 2-2 with no winner — a flat ending to a wild week.
How the series got to 2-2
India took the 1st T20I by 8 wickets and the 3rd by 14 runs. West Indies answered with a 6-wicket win in the 2nd and a 24-run win in the 4th at Hyderabad on October 15.
The 4th game was a run-fest. West Indies posted 247/3 — Shai Hope stayed unbeaten on 102, Rutherford smashed 49*, and Keemo Paul grabbed a five-wicket haul when India batted. India gave chase honestly: Samson blazed 56 off 23 balls, Nitish Kumar Reddy hit 41, but they were all out for 223.
Also read: Shai Hope’s 102* sinks India by 24 runs: series 2-2
One pattern worth noting: chasing hasn’t been the easy option. Two wins have gone to the chasing side, two to the defending side. Whoever wins the toss tomorrow won’t have the series’ weight on their decision.
Team news: Varun Aaron’s big call
Former India pacer Varun Aaron has made a public suggestion ahead of the decider: bring in Kuldeep Yadav, “especially at Chinnaswamy,” and play five frontline bowlers. His argument is simple — this ground is a graveyard for part-timers, and India need full bowling firepower.
India have stuck with Abhishek and Samson as the opening pair through all four games. One loose end: 15-year-old batting sensation Suryavanshi still hasn’t played a game this series. Whether the decider is the right stage for a debut is a question the team management must answer.
Probable XIs are floating around, but sources disagree on the key slots — Prince Yadav or Kuldeep Yadav, and a couple of middle-order spots. Treat every XI you read today as probable, not confirmed.
Also read: IND vs WI 4th T20I preview: India eye series win in Hyderabad
The Bengaluru pitch question
Chinnaswamy is famously batting-friendly. Short boundaries, true bounce, and average first-innings scores in the 180–185 range. Dew in the evening usually helps the chasing side — the ball skids on, bowlers struggle to grip it.
That said, the dew only matters if there’s a game. The 80% rain threat hangs over everything. If skies stay clear, expect another high-scorer and a chase-heavy contest. If the clouds open, this series that deserved a decider ends with both teams sharing the spoils.
Also read: India beat West Indies by 14 runs in 3rd T20I at Indore
FAQ
What time does the IND vs WI 5th T20I start?
7 PM IST tomorrow, October 17, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. JioHotstar and Star Sports carry it live.
What happens if rain washes out the match?
The series ends drawn at 2-2. A rain-affected game follows standard T20 rules for shortened matches, but if no play is possible, there’s no reserve day — the series is shared.
Will Kuldeep Yadav play the decider?
Varun Aaron has publicly urged India to pick Kuldeep and field five frontline bowlers at Chinnaswamy. The actual XI hasn’t been announced, so this is a suggestion, not a confirmed selection.
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