By: Gameotics Editorial Team · Last updated: 15 Oct 2026 (IST)
Quick answer: India and West Indies finish their T20I series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on 17 October. The series is level at 2-2 after West Indies won the 4th T20I in Hyderabad by 24 runs on 14 October (WI 247/3, India 223). Expect a flat, high-scoring pitch, short boundaries and a loud home crowd.
Stadium & Pitch at a Glance
- Stadium: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Match: India vs West Indies, 5th T20I, Saturday 17 October 2026, 7:00 PM IST
- Pitch type: flat, high-scoring; known for big totals
- Ground: small, short boundaries, quick outfield; altitude helps the ball carry
- Toss/dew: evening dew can help chasing sides
- Weather: October evening showers possible; check the forecast on match day
What Is the Series Score Before the Decider?
This is the last T20I of the West Indies leg of India’s 2026-27 home season, which the BCCI announced as part of its full fixture list. Going into the finale, the series stands at 2-2. West Indies levelled it in Hyderabad on 14 Oct: Shai Hope made an unbeaten 102 and Keemo Paul took 5 for 41 as WI posted 247/3 and defended it by 24 runs (India 223). Both teams will go all out in the decider, five days before India’s New Zealand tour starts in Christchurch.
That turnaround matters. India fly to New Zealand right after this match, with the 1st T20I at Hagley Oval on 22 October. So Bengaluru is part finale, part dress rehearsal. Watch for which combinations the team management tries, because the same core is likely to travel.
West Indies, meanwhile, arrive with momentum. Their T20 identity has always been power: big hitters through the middle and fast bowlers who hit the deck. On a small ground, that’s dangerous. Form check from the 4th T20I (ESPNcricinfo): Hope 102*, Rutherford 49*, Paul 5-41; for India, Samson 56 off 23 was the main resistance.
Match Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs West Indies, 5th T20I |
| Date | Saturday, 17 October 2026 |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Start time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Broadcast/stream | Star Sports Network (TV), JioHotstar (streaming) |
Squads and Likely XIs
India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar have been rested. Watch the opening pair, the No. 3 slot and whether India go with two spinners or three on a ground where spinners usually get hit.
West Indies: Shai Hope (c, wk), Jewel Andrew (wk), Amir Jangoo (wk), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer. Their captain Shai Hope will lean on Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, and the pace of Shamar Joseph.
Injury news: Jewel Andrew hurt a finger in the 3rd ODI, so Amir Jangoo was added to the West Indies T20I squad as cover on 5 October. India have rested Bumrah and Washington Sundar.
How Will the Chinnaswamy Pitch Play?
Bengaluru is famous for one thing: runs. The ground is small, the outfield is quick and the altitude helps the ball carry. Historically, T20s here see 180-plus totals, and chasing teams like the dew that settles later in the evening.
For bowlers, the plan is usually simple: hit hard lengths, use the bigger side of the ground and mix in slower balls. Wrist-spinners who dare to toss it up can pick up wickets, but they also go for plenty.
Weather: October in Bengaluru can bring evening showers. A rain-shortened game would make the toss even more important.
Toss call: evening dew can make chasing easier, which is why the toss matters here.
Which Battles Could Decide the Match?
- India’s top order vs the new-ball West Indies quicks: the powerplay could decide the game on this ground.
- The spinners in the middle overs: whoever keeps the run-rate under 9 an over in overs 7-15 usually wins in Bengaluru.
- The death overs: India’s Arshdeep Singh vs West Indies’ finishers. Expect plenty of sixes.
Why Does This Game Matter Beyond the Series?
India’s next stop is New Zealand. The squads for that tour are already out, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in the T20I group after a long gap, according to the Indian Express. So players on the fringe in Bengaluru are playing for more than a series result. A strong finish here could lock in a spot in the XI at Hagley Oval.
The Final Word
Small ground, big hitters, a series finale and a flight to New Zealand straight after. This one should be a run-fest. Check back for the toss, the XIs and the live result, and follow Gameotics Cricket for the full NZ tour coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does IND vs WI 5th T20I start?
7:00 PM IST, according to the BCCI match centre. The toss usually happens 30 minutes before the start.
Is Chinnaswamy a batting pitch?
Yes. It’s known for high scores thanks to short boundaries, a quick outfield and the altitude. Bowlers have very little margin for error.
Will rain affect the match?
October evenings in Bengaluru can bring showers. Check the forecast on match day. The ground has good drainage, so short delays don’t always mean a washout.
Where can I watch it in India?
Star Sports Network on TV and the JioHotstar app, according to Wisden. Avoid unofficial streaming sites.
Sources
- BCCI home season 2026-27 fixtures: scores-bcci.epicon.in
- Indian Express, India squads for NZ tour: indianexpress.com
- BCCI match centre, IND v WI 5th T20I: bcci.tv
- News18, IND and WI T20I squads: news18.com
- Wikipedia, West Indies in India 2026-27 (Jangoo injury cover, umpires): en.wikipedia.org
- Wisden, IND vs WI T20Is: where to watch: wisden.com
About the Author
Gameotics Editorial Team covers cricket, esports and gaming for Indian fans.
Last updated: 15 Oct 2026 (IST).
