WI VS IND T20I

Right then, only one game remains on this long tour of India to the West Indies and there is a lot to play for. India were convincing in the Test series, West Indies showed some fight in the ODIs and now in the T20Is, it is all locked up. The fifth and final T20I will be played at the very same venue and it is a very short turnaround time as the action begins on Sunday, 13 August at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) but our build-up will begin a lot sooner. Do join us to find out how the drama unfolds in the series decider. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Hardik Pandya, the captain of India says that the crowd has been amazing and they have been coming up in numbers and it was great to give them some entertainment back. Adds that the opening partnership was brilliant, but going forward they need to take more responsibility to back their bowlers. Tells that West Indies got some runs in the end but as they took wickets earlier that harmed them a bit. Credits Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the way they batted and that their running between the wickets was really good too. Mentions that he likes to captain how he sees the game and take decisions based on the situation and his own instincts. Says that they lost the first two games because of their own errors but they haven't done much different in the next two matches. Further adds that the boys took it to their stride and were up for the challenge. Ends by saying that in T20Is no one is the favourite and whoever plays better gets over the line.

West Indies skipper, Rovman Powell says that it was a pretty good batting surface and they were 10-15 runs short but Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer played well. Adds that they have quality bowlers in the unit but weren't able to stick to their plans. Mentions that from the start of the series, it was certain that their batting will be tested against the spin and they did well in this game. Says that it is 2-2 and both teams have played good cricket to reach here but he is backing the boys to get the job done in the final.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! Jaiswal says that he is happy to go out and express himself. He thanks the coaching staff and Hardik Pandya for showing faith in him which gave him a lot of confidence. Adds that he always tries to play according to the situation and what the team needs and the intent is to score runs. Mentions that it definitely helps to have already played the bowlers in the nets when they play for the same franchise. Says that it was amazing to bat with Shubman Gill and the opening partnership was really good. Ends by saying that the crowd was amazing and acknowledges them for all the support.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to bat first on a deck that looked pristine for batting. West Indies though lost a couple of early wickets after a fast start and that halted their progress in the middle overs. Kuldeep Yadav yet again ruled the middle phase as Shai Hope held up one end for the hosts, scoring at a good pace as well. The Indian pacers bowled decently as well with Arshdeep Singh picking up a couple of wickets but Shimron Hetmyer notched up a crucial and quick half-century and took his team to 178, giving them a chance of winning. Coming to the chase, it only went in one direction with the Indian openers in sensational form and the Windies bowlers were blown away.

West Indies finished with a bit of a flourish while batting but with the ball, they were well below par. With Alzarri Joseph being rested, their pace attack looked like a totally different unit and the sole spinner in the ranks, Akeal Hosein could only do so much. Hosein did bowl economically but couldn't pick up a wicket and there were too many loose deliveries by the pacers, hardly creating any wicket-taking opportunities. The hosts now have a lot of work to do having let slip a huge advantage in the five-match series.

WE ARE GOING THE DISTANCE! Back-to-back comprehensive performances with the bat from India and they have come roaring back from 2-0 down to level the series at 2-2. Right from the get-go, the Indian openers looked to score boundaries and with the ball coming onto the bat nicely, they made great use of the new ball allowing them to control the middle phase as well. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed aggressive intent and did get a couple of streaky boundaries but in general, he was unrelenting. Shubman Gill too found some form and timed the ball to perfection, hitting some exquisite shots in the process. The pair put on a record-equalling highest opening T20I stand for India worth 165 runs before Gill fell. Jaiswal though remained unbeaten on 84 and saw the side over the line with plenty of balls to spare.

An anti-climatic end! Romario Shepherd loses his line and bowls this on a length but down the leg side, slower too, Tilak Varma lets it go towards the keeper where Nicholas Pooran fumbles a bit and the batters steal a bye as Pooran misses his shy at the bowler's end as well. It is also given as a wide and that is it. INDIA WIN BY 9 WICKETS!

Another slower one, full and on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal drives it towards short covers where the fielder makes a good stop.

Short and on middle, Tilak Varma pulls it towards deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Nicely played! Jason Holder serves this a bit too full, on leg, Tilak Varma glances it away towards the fine leg fence for a boundary. India one hit away from the win now!

A slower delivery, on a length and around leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to work it away but gets an outside edge towards short third man for a run.

Goes fuller now, on leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls down the pitch.

Back of a length and outside off, Tilak Varma cuts it towards deep point for a single.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal finds the fence now! Romario Shepherd pitches it up, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his bat at it and slices it wide and over of short third man for a boundary. India need just 9 runs for the win now!