Rain washes out Bengaluru series decider after India script history with fastest T20I fifty vs West Indies

India's record-breaking blitz at the Chinnaswamy

India rewrote their own record books in the fifth T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru, registering the fastest team fifty in their men's T20I history by reaching the milestone in just 2.5 overs. The feat bettered their previous mark of 50 in three overs, also against the West Indies in Hyderabad earlier in 2026, and eclipsed other recent quick fifties — 3.1 overs against New Zealand in Guwahati, 3.2 overs against Pakistan in Nisshin, and 3.3 overs against Afghanistan in Delhi.

India raced to 14 in the opening over despite Abhishek's dismissal, with the over featuring five wides, a no-ball and a six. Kishan then took charge against Romario Shepherd, collecting 24 runs in the second over as India surged to 38/1. The left-hander continued his onslaught against Shamar Joseph, hitting a four before Samson brought up the team fifty with a boundary off the same bowler.

"India reached 50 in just 2.5 overs, setting a new benchmark for their fastest team fifty in men's T20Is," the report noted, underlining the scale of the onslaught.

West Indies fight back before the heavens open

The West Indies hit back with regular wickets to stem the tide. Kishan departed for 30, followed by Samson for 16, while Shreyas Iyer struggled to find his rhythm before falling for 22 off 14 balls. Tilak Varma was also dismissed for seven as Shamar Springer claimed his second wicket.

Naman Dhir injected fresh momentum after arriving in the seventh over. He launched Keemo Paul for a six off his first delivery and followed it with a four before clearing the ropes again. Dhir then struck another maximum off Springer, racing to 17 off just four balls at that stage and helping India cross 100 in the seventh over. But the drizzle intensified as the innings progressed.

Rain washes out the decider

India were 108/5 after 7.4 overs when Tilak was bowled by Springer. With rain threatening the contest, the match was eventually reduced to a five-over chase, leaving the West Indies needing 85 runs to win the series decider. The inevitable followed as the players shook hands and the match was called off due to persistent rain.

The washout denied the West Indies a chance to chase down the target and brought the series to an end at 2-2. The abandonment came after evening showers had drenched Bengaluru ahead of the fixture, with the forecast offering little respite — a threat that had loomed over the contest since the days before the game.

With the series locked at 2-2, India stretched their unbeaten home bilateral T20I series run, not having lost such a series since February 2019.