Bengaluru, Oct 15: Dew could prove to be a decisive factor in the fifth and final T20 International between India and the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, with the toss likely to influence the strategies of both teams in the series decider.
The five-match contest is level at 2-2 after the West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
With the series at stake, both sides will be keen to exploit the conditions at a venue renowned for its batting-friendly pitch and relatively short boundaries.
Evening conditions are expected to be humid, with temperatures hovering around 23 degrees Celsius at 7 pm IST before dropping to approximately 22 degrees by 10 pm. Humidity is forecast to remain around 85 per cent, raising the possibility of dew settling on the outfield as the match progresses.
Under such circumstances, the captain winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, as a wet ball can make it difficult for bowlers, particularly spinners, to maintain their grip and control. Dew can also help batters play their strokes more freely, making it challenging for teams to defend substantial totals.
India have already experienced the impact of these conditions during the series. In the second T20I, they posted an imposing 249 for five, only for the West Indies to complete the chase in 18.3 overs.
Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford capitalised on the batting-friendly conditions, while Indian spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav struggled to contain the scoring rate, conceding 63 and 53 runs respectively.
However, the fourth T20I demonstrated that defending a big total remains possible with effective execution.
The West Indies scored 247 for three, powered by Hope’s unbeaten century, before restricting India to 223 in 19.3 overs to secure a 24-run victory.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium’s reputation for high-scoring encounters could further intensify the contest. Its square boundaries measure approximately 54 metres, while the straight boundary is around 70 metres, offering power-hitters ample opportunities to clear the ropes.
The venue’s most recent T20I, between India and Afghanistan in January 2024, ended in a tie after both teams scored 212. India eventually prevailed in the Super Over.
Historical figures also suggest that chasing is not necessarily a guaranteed advantage at the ground. Of the nine international matches cited in the venue record, teams batting second won four, while sides batting first secured three victories, with two matches ending without a result.
India will need to prepare for both scenarios, ensuring their bowlers can adapt to changing conditions. While the toss could provide an advantage, disciplined bowling, sound tactical decisions and effective execution will ultimately determine which side claims the series in Bengaluru. (Agencies)