![West Indies Predicted Playing XI vs India- 5th T20I [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792146808961_WestIndiesIndiaPlayingXI5thT20I.jpg?type=hq)
West Indies Predicted Playing XI vs India- 5th T20I [Source: AFP]
West Indies will compete against India in the 5th and final T20I of the ongoing series on Saturday, October 17. The match will be held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru at 7:00 PM IST.
The visitors fought back in the 4th T20I against India to win by 24 runs, thus levelling the series 2-2. Hence, this fifth game will decide the fate of this tour. Hence, both teams will come out all guns blazing to end the tour on a high note.
Meanwhile, for West Indies, the stakes are higher as they previously lost the ODI series as well. Hence, they’ll field the best and strongest playing XI available on the bench.
On that note, let’s analyse the predicted playing XI of West Indies vs India for the 5th T20I.
Top Order - Shai Hope (c&wk), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer
Captain Shai Hope will lead from the front just like he has been doing on this entire tour. So far in the T20I series, he has amassed 261 runs with a strike rate of 190, including 2 hundreds.
He will be joined by opener Jewel Andrew, who scored 21 runs in his first appearance in the 4th T20I. Andrew has shown promise and will be back to open the innings in the series decider as well.
At no. 3, West Indies will trust Shimron Hetmyer despite him scoring just 81 runs in 4 innings so far. But Hetmyer can single-handedly destroy India’s bowling attack when in form, and the flat surface of Chinnaswamy will definitely suit him.
Middle-Order - Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase
Rovman Powell will likely come out to bat at no. 4. He has scored just 53 runs so far in the series. But given his experience and power-hitting ability, the West Indies won’t risk dropping him from an important game.
Sherfane Rutherford is another explosive hitter who has ruled the T20I series vs India by scoring 221 runs at a strike rate of 188. His partnerships with Shai Hope have been crucial, and the Windies will put a lot of hope on them.
Romario Shepherd will play the role of a finisher. He has batted in only 2 innings so far, scoring 41 runs. But his six-hitting ability will help West Indies score extra runs in the death overs.
In the lower middle order, Roston Chase will bat for West Indies at no. 7. He has not made any impact with the bat in the T20I series, but he is the leading wicket-taker of the series with 6 wickets in 4 innings.
Bowlers - Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
Keemo Paul made himself untouchable after picking up a 5-wicket-haul in the last game against India. He has picked up a total of 6 wickets in just 2 innings with an average of 13.16. Hence, Paul will be one of the key pacers for Windies.
Shamar Springer has also impressed in this T20I series by picking up 5 wickets. Hence, he will retain his place alongside Shamar Joseph, who is an excellent new ball bowler.
As for spin, Gudakesh Motie will lead the attack. Interestingly, West Indies do have an option to play Akeal Hosein as a second specialist spinner. But since the Bengaluru pitch tends to have a flat surface and there has been a trend of high-scoring games this series, the visitors need batting depth.
Hence, West Indies are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI for the 5th T20I. This combination helped them win the 4th T20I to level the series, and Shai Hope will ensure the winning momentum isn’t hampered by any last-minute and unnecessary changes.
West Indies Playing XI vs India for 5th T20I
Shai Hope (c&wk), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
