India and West Indies T20I Series Ends in 2-2 Draw After Decider Abandoned

The five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies concluded in a 2-2 draw after the final decider at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was abandoned due to rain. Persistent bad weather halted the game after only 7.4 overs of the first innings, leaving both teams to share the series honors.

Entering the final match, the series stood level following a dramatic encounter in Hyderabad where the West Indies secured a 24-run victory. In that match, Shai Hope starred for the visitors with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, becoming the first West Indian to score three T20I hundreds, while Keemo Paul claimed a five-wicket haul.

Throughout the series, India struggled to put away a visiting side that entered as clear underdogs. After winning the opener, India failed to defend a total of 249 in the second match and later faltered again in the penultimate fixture. Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth criticized the team's performances and questioned their bowling consistency on heavy-scoring tracks.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth voiced his frustration with the outcome, stating, "It is disappointing that India finished level with a dismal West Indies side and almost lost the series. West Indies has batting firepower, but their bowling is terrible. India allowed nobodies like Springer to take wickets. But the Indian bowling is a big question mark."

The final match also served as a stage for squad adjustments due to injuries. With fast bowler Arshdeep Singh doubtful after taking a blow in Hyderabad, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was added to the lineup as cover, returning to the international setup after nearly four years away. However, the rain prevented him from bowling.

Srikkanth noted that the weather interruption might have worked in favor of the veteran bowler, describing it as "a blessing in disguise that Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn't bowl in the final T20I." He added that ideal conditions for the 36-year-old's return would be found in New Zealand, where the upcoming five-match T20I tour begins on October 22 in Christchurch.

Despite the rain-soaked conclusion to the West Indies series, Indian cricket fans are already looking ahead to the international calendar. In addition to the upcoming New Zealand tour, the International Cricket Council recently unveiled the schedule for the U19 Women's T20 World Cup, where India is slated to open its campaign against the West Indies on January 22 in Kathmandu.