17 October,2026 09:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shreyas Iyer and Shai Hope (Pic: PTI)
West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first in the 5th and final T20 match of the series. The match is reduced to 9 overs per side after rain and wet outfield delayed the start.
After winning the toss, West Indies skipper Shai Hope was happy to bowl first and chase the score set by India.
"Yeah, it does, but obviously rain around as well. Expected to get a little bit wetter. But yeah, it's a good pitch, and we just want to give ourselves the best chance of chasing. [On whether a shortened nine-over game suits their style of play] I feel like it does. If I say yes, you would say so. No, we tend to have a lot of batters, especially deep. But we've got to start with the ball. That's our main focus right now: make sure we execute as best as we can in a shortened game and give ourselves the best chance. Guys are looking forward to it. Same team," Shai Hope said.
Indian captain Shreyas Iyer admitted he would have fielded first as well had he won the toss in Bengaluru.
"I would have fielded as well. [On the quick turnaround and the conditions after the rain] Yeah, it's a quick turnaround. Wasn't anticipating a game, honestly, looking at the rains. But yeah, the way the drainage system is over here, it's phenomenal. And talking about the wicket, it looks pretty good. [On India's approach in the series decider] Well, we just have to be aggressive in our approach and see to it that we are in top-notch attitude, not get pressed too much by the pressure, or, you know, they've been playing amazing cricket as well, but that doesn't mean that we are going to shrink. It's important that we put our best foot forward and see to it that we seize the game. We've got two changes: Shivam Dube comes in, and Bhuvi comes in." Shreyas Iyer said.
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph