India, West Indies in Bengaluru T20 decider at 2-2; Bhuvneshwar likely back, rain a worry

The T20 series between India and the West Indies will be settled in Bengaluru on Saturday. The fifth and last game finds the contest tied at 2-2, so whoever wins the match takes the trophy. Both camps know that nothing but victory will do, and a hard fight is expected, even though forecasters see rain as a possible threat to the game.

India's team selection has become the main talking point. Arshdeep Singh hurt his left shoulder in the fourth match, and that is his bowling arm. The BCCI responded by adding Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad for the decider. According to the board's official statement, a final call on whether Arshdeep takes the field will be made just before the game. Bhuvneshwar is widely expected to play, but with no official word, his place cannot yet be treated as certain.

The experienced seamer would bring India a steadier hand. He is known for movement with the new ball and for tidy bowling at the death, and that could count for a lot against the West Indies hitters.

Kuldeep Yadav is also in the reckoning. India's bowlers fell short in the fourth game, where the West Indies piled up a big total and kept the hosts under pressure, so the team management may rework the attack. A spinner who takes wickets could trouble the visitors' middle order. If India bowl first, Kuldeep is likely to come in for either Mayank Yadav or Prince Yadav. Shivam Dube may also get a game in place of Naman Dhir, although the pitch and the balance of the side will decide it.

Captain Shreyas Iyer carries a heavy load. The game is seen as important preparation for India's tour of New Zealand. In cricketing circles there is talk of a fear that something unprecedented in T20 international history could happen here, and the burden of preventing it is said to rest on Iyer. Sides avoid certain records in this format, and steering clear of them while keeping India's winning habit alive is his biggest task. India have never lost a T20 series to the West Indies at home, and a defeat on Saturday would end that tradition.

The probable Indian line-up has Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper and Ishan Kishan at the top, with Iyer, Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir to follow. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel are the all-rounders, and Bhuvneshwar leads the pace attack alongside Prince Yadav, with the last place going to Mayank or Kuldeep.

The wider Indian squad of fifteen is led by Iyer, with Tilak Varma as his deputy. It also includes Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ravi Bishnoi, Dube and Arshdeep, along with the players already named. The visitors are captained by Shai Hope and have Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell and Roston Chase in the batting order. Romario Shepherd, Quentin Sampson, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie, Kimo Paul, Matthew Forde and Shamar Springer complete their party.

India's batters and bowlers must both deliver, since even a small error could be costly in a decider. The side will have to contain the Caribbean batters' attacking game. Which players Iyer and the management trust remains to be seen, as does whether India can win the series.