West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the fifth and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Rain delayed the match, and the first ball is now scheduled to be bowled at 9:15 PM IST. With the five-match series level at 2-2, this game decides the winner.
IND vs WI 5th T20I Toss Result and Revised Start Time
The toss went West Indies' way, and they chose to field first. That decision came with the weather in mind — after rain pushed back the start, the first ball is now set for 9:15 PM IST. A delayed start often changes how captains read the pitch, and bowling first under these conditions gives the West Indies a clear plan for the evening.
The series stands at 2-2, which makes this a straight decider. Neither team has pulled ahead, and both will be looking to close out the series with a win in Bengaluru.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar Playing in the IND vs WI 5th T20I?
Yes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been included in India's playing XI for the series decider. His return to the XI is one of the main talking points around India's selection for this match, and it gives the bowling attack an experienced option for the final game of the series.
To put it plainly, the big questions around this match have been answered: the toss is done, the start time is revised, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in the XI. What remains is how both teams handle a shortened or delayed game with the series on the line.
Our Take: A Decider Shaped by Rain and Selection
In our view, the rain delay and the revised 9:15 PM IST start make the toss more important than usual. West Indies choosing to bowl first is a sensible call — with time lost, chasing can be easier when you know the target. For India, the bigger story is Bhuvneshwar Kumar's inclusion. Bringing in an experienced bowler for the decider shows the team wants control with the ball in a game that could be shortened at any point.
The series being level at 2-2 means there is no room for a slow start from either side. Readers should watch how the first few overs go after the delayed start — that is where this match will likely be decided.
Sources & References
- Original match report: IND vs WI 5th T20I Live Updates — toss result, revised start time and playing XI details
