The exciting match between India and West Indies in the fifth T20 marked the end of an intense series IND vs WI 5th T20. With India doing well in the Test and ODI series earlier, there was a chance for them to win the T20 series too. But the West Indies team had other ideas, and they won the series 3-2.
A Decisive Battle in Florida
The pulsating final match of the T20 series unfolded at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Florida, USA. With both teams on equal footing, the stakes were high, and victory was essential to claim T20 supremacy.
The West Indies players took to the field with determination, fueled by the desire to defend their honor.
A Rain-Interrupted Clash
Rain had a big impact on the last match, causing stoppages three times. Despite the weather challenges, the match still had plenty of excitement. India batted first and set a goal of 166 runs.
But the Windies players showed their skills and successfully chased down the target in the 18th over. This win not only secured their victory in the match but also the series overall.
Historical Context
The Indian cricket team’s performance in 5-match T20 series has been noteworthy over the years. Prior to this series, India had emerged victorious in three such series and settled for a draw in one.
But in this instance, the team experienced its first loss in a 5-match T20 series, highlighting how strong the West Indies team was in this competition.
Series Roller-Coaster
The series had its ups and downs. The West Indies team took the lead by winning the first two T20 matches, which made things tough for India. But the Indian team didn’t give up.
They bounced back with wins in the third and fourth T20 matches. This set the scene for an exciting final match, where both teams aimed to win the series.
The Toss and the Decision in IND vs WI 5th T20
The final match began with the toss, a crucial aspect in cricket. India won the toss and elected to bat first. This decision was rooted in the team’s strategy to set a challenging target for the West Indies.
Notably, the previous four T20 matches between the two sides had been evenly split, with both teams winning two matches each.
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The First Innings of IND vs WI 5th T20
During the first innings, the Indian team managed to score 165 runs, losing 9 wickets in the process. The contribution of various players was vital to the team’s total.
Notable performances included Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 5 runs, Shubman Gill’s 9 runs, Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive 61 runs, Tilak Verma’s 27 runs, Sanju Samson’s 13 runs, and Hardik Pandya’s 14 runs.
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Additionally, Sanju Samson achieved a significant milestone by completing 6,000 runs in his T20 career during this match.
Dominant Bowling Display
The bowlers from the West Indies gave a strong performance, and Romario Shepherd stood out. He took 4 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs, which really affected how the Indian team batted. Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder also made contributions, each claiming 2 wickets.
Amidst these bowling feats, Suryakumar Yadav stood out by achieving his 15th half-century in his T20 career, drawing comparisons with esteemed players like Babar Azam and Virat Kohli.
Series Outcome
West Indies had set the tone early by winning the first two matches of the series. The first match saw them triumph by 4 runs, while in the second match, they secured a victory by 2 wickets. These wins allowed them to establish a 2-0 lead in the series.
India’s Resurgence
However, the Indian team fought back valiantly, clinching victories in the third and fourth matches of the series. In both matches, the West Indies chose to bat first, only to be bested by the Indian team’s strong performances. India won the third match by 7 wickets and the fourth match by 9 wickets, leveling the series at 2-2.
The 5th T20 match between India and West Indies was a fitting conclusion to a closely contested series. While India had tasted success in the Test and ODI series, it was the West Indies who emerged victorious in the T20 series.
The series showcased the competitive spirit of both teams and their ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Playing XI of both countries :
India :-
Shubman Gill, Yashshwi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal.
West Indies :-
Braden King, Kyle Meyers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wicketkeeper), Rovman Powell (captain), Shimran Hetmyer, Jason Holder. Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Aqeel Hussain, Alzari Joseph
Who won the IND vs WI 5th T20 series?
West Indies won the IND vs WI 5th T20 match against India, clinching the series with a 3-2 score.
Where was the IND vs WI 5th T20 final T20 match played?
The IND vs WI 5th T20 final T20 match took place at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Florida, USA.
How did rain affect the IND vs WI 5th T20 final match?
The final match was interrupted three times due to rain, adding to the challenges faced by both teams.
What was the target set by India in the IND vs WI 5th T20 final match?
India set a target of 166 runs for the West Indies in the final T20 match.
Who was the standout performer for West Indies in the bowling department?
Romario Shepherd shone for West Indies, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs in the final match.
