India vs West India: Fifth T20 International – teams, start, lineups, Hope

What the report says

India and the West Indies are heading into the fifth and final Twenty20 International of their tour on Saturday at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the five-match series tied 2-2. Al Jazeera says the match begins at 7pm local time, and notes it will be a decisive finish to a white-ball series that has featured several high-scoring and record-setting games.

The teams split the early T20s after India won the opener comfortably, West Indies responded with a record chase led by captain Shai Hope, and India edged the third match by 14 runs. West Indies then levelled the series in the fourth game, again powered by Hope, whose unbeaten century helped his side post 247-3 and secure a 24-run win. Al Jazeera describes Hope as the standout player of the tour and says his performances have repeatedly pushed India under pressure.

For the finale, Al Jazeera lists predicted lineups rather than confirmed teams. India’s projected side includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh, while West Indies are tipped to field Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul. The result will determine the series winner and cap what the publisher calls one of the most compelling white-ball tours in recent memory.