Bengaluru rain leaves series level after India's 7.4-over blitz
Kishan and Dhir lit up a 9-overs-a-side game before rain cut India’s innings short and washed out West Indies’ revised chase of 84 in five overs
Rain had the final say in the series-decider at Bengaluru, with an already-truncated game needing to be abandoned after just 7.4 overs.
At 10.21pm, a fresh bout of rain ended India's innings prematurely, and the game as a result, prompting handshakes as series honours were shared at 2-2.
Consistent rain across the city initially delayed the toss for two-and-a-half hours. It eventually relented for a nine-over shootout, necessitating a relentless approach from India's batting star-cast.
Abhishek Sharma began with a leg-side six but fell the next ball after Keemo Paul dragged his length back. Ishan Kishan didn't let the tempo falter, picking Romario Shepherd apart for a 24-run second over. It was also when some odd extra bounce appeared on the track; the outfield, though, remained quick despite all the rain.
Kishan fell to Shamar Joseph trying another flat-batted stroke, having scored 30 off only 10 balls. Sanju Samson, barely on strike until then, then used his width to cart a four and a six. After three overs, India had raced to 56/2.
Hope immediately turned to spin, and Gudakesh Motie had to manoeuver his lines to keep it out of the hitting arc. Shreyas Iyer began with two fours but couldn't shake off his scratchiness. A bit of drizzle added more grip to the surface, and Iyer, dropped on 18, finally perished for a scratchy 22.
With rain in the air, and the ball getting wetter, Naman Dhir clanked a first-ball six, teeing off for 24 off 6, three sixes and a four included. As Tilak Varma was dismissed, and the showers got heavier, the players were forced off the field, not returning again.
Brief scores: India 118/5 in 7.4 overs (Ishan Kishan 30, Naman Dhir 24*; Shamar Springer 2-17, Keemo Paul 2-34) vs West Indies. Nine-over match abandoned due to rain.
