Rain halts fifth India-West Indies T20 in Bengaluru with India four down in 6 overs

Rain has interrupted the fifth and final T20 of the series between India and West Indies at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The match was under threat of rain even before it began, and water was falling at the scheduled start, delaying the beginning.

Play finally got under way at 9.15 pm. Because of the rain, the match was reduced to 9 overs a side. West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. Play lasted only a short while before rain returned and the match had to be stopped again.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened for India. Abhishek was out for 6 while attempting a big shot. Ishan Kishan came in next and played an aggressive innings of 30 runs off 10 balls before returning to the pavilion. His fast knock lifted the Bengaluru crowd.

Captain Shreyas Iyer then came to the crease. Samson was out for 16 and Iyer returned to the pavilion after scoring 22. Four Indian batters were out within 6 overs.

The West Indies bowlers kept an unerring line and length from the start, as today's match is a must-win one. Early on, Keemo Paul dismissed Abhishek Sharma, while Shamar Joseph took the wicket of Kishan, who was scoring quickly.

The two teams are level at 2-2 in the series, so the side that wins today will also take the series. With the match down to just 9 overs, the contest promises to be very tight. The outfield is also wet, so playing there will not be easy.

India's squad comprises Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav and Naman Dhir.

West Indies' squad comprises Shai Hope (captain), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Quentin Sampson, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Matthew Forde and Shamar Springer.