WI vs IND 5th T20I: Confident India eye another series win after stunning comeback

A confident India will look to continue their winning momentum and seal the five-match T20I series when they take on West Indies in the fifth T20I at Florida’s Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Sunday. Notably, the Indian team, led by Hardik Pandya, managed to level the T20I series against West Indies 2-2, setting the stage for an exciting final match in Lauderhill, Florida.

The series began with West Indies securing two consecutive victories, one at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, and the next at Providence, Guyana. However, the tide turned when Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma stepped up to deny the West Indies an early series victory in the third T20I. This resurgence was followed by another spectacular performance in the fourth T20I, where India’s young guns and bowlers combined forces to secure a win.

In the fourth T20I, West Indies posted a challenging total of 178 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, who took three crucial wickets, effectively curtailed the scoring. The Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, then put on a record-breaking opening partnership of 165 runs, steering India to a comfortable nine-wicket victory.

As the series heads into its final match, anticipation is high. Will India maintain their momentum and clinch the series, or will the West Indies, led by Rovman Powell, bounce back? The outcome of this fiercely contested showdown remains to be seen.

“It’s 2-2, both teams have played well to reach where they are. Tomorrow is the final and in a final, I’d back West Indies. I am feeling okay and ready to the lead the guys again tomorrow,” Rovman Powell said after West Indies lost the 4th T20I.

Regardless of the result, the series has already showcased some exceptional cricket and highlighted the emerging talent in both teams.

PREDICTED PLAYING XI

INDIA: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar

WEST INDIES: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy