Rain forces series draw as Bengaluru final T20 ends prematurely.
Bengaluru witnessed a disappointing end to the T20 series on Saturday. Heavy rain forced officials to call off the fifth and final match between India and West Indies at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Both teams will share the series trophy after finishing with two wins each. This result concludes a highly competitive five-match contest that entertained cricket fans globally.
Officials initially reduced the game to a nine-over-per-side contest following an early weather delay. West Indies chose to bowl first, and they found immediate success. Shamar Joseph caught Abhishek Sharma at mid-wicket for six runs in the first over. Ishan Kishan quickly shifted momentum in the second over. He dominated Romario Shepherd by hitting two sixes and two fours. Shepherd also delivered a wide delivery, pushing the total score to 38 runs in two overs.
West Indies bowlers fought back despite the aggressive batting display. Pace bowlers dismissed Kishan for 30 runs off just 10 deliveries, ending an innings featuring three fours and two sixes. Sanju Samson contributed a rapid 16 from seven balls before Shamar Springer bowled him. Gudakesh Motie bowled a relatively quiet fourth over, conceding just 10 runs to the batting side. Skipper Shreyas Iyer managed 22 runs from 14 balls until Keemo Paul secured his wicket. Springer and Paul led the bowling attack for the visiting team with two wickets each.
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Naman Dhir provided significant late entertainment when he arrived at the crease. He smashed three sixes and a four against Paul to reach 24 not out from only six deliveries. Springer then bowled Tilak Varma for seven runs off six balls. India reached 118 for five in 7.4 overs before heavy rain returned to the stadium. Umpires officially abandoned the match shortly after this interruption, leaving the final score incomplete.
With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI