American Press

West Indies 100 (Hetmyer 56, Bishnoi 4-16, Kuldeep 3-12, Axar 3-15) were defeated by India 188 for 7 (Iyer 64, Hooda 38, Smith 3-33) by a margin of 88 runs.

In the fifth T20I, India smashed a seemingly aimless West Indies by 88 runs to end the series with a 4-1 score. For the dead rubber, both teams made four substitutions each, although West Indies seemed to be going through the motions. Their attack lacked quality: there was no express pace, no point of difference, and no accuracy. Their bowlers also bowled three no balls and frequently appeared uninterested in fielding the ball in their follow-through.

West Indies' batting order was strange because their regular openers Kyle Mayers and Brandon King were on vacation. The right-handed batters were grouped together as Jason Holder began, and Axar Patel pounced on them during the powerplay. Nicholas Pooran's forgettable series came to an end with a 6-ball 3. As West Indies crumbled to 100 all out in their opening matches of the series, wristspinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi enjoyed themselves against the helpless middle and lower order. This was the first men's T20 international in which spinners claimed all ten wickets.

Iyer and Hooda set up India.
India started with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer after resting both Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Shot-making wasn't as easy on a pitch that had been in action for a second day in a row, as Kishan learned when he tried to pull Dominic Drakes in the fifth over but could only manage a top edge to mid-on.

However, Iyer and Deepak Hooda made batting appear simple while putting on a 76-run partnership in 7.2 overs. That West Indies frequently failed to bowl to their fields was helpful. Iyer frequently gained space when the field was up on the opposite side and continued enthusiastically hitting over the 30-yard line. Additionally, he hit a stunning aerial off-drive against Odean Smith for his second straight six.

He was only outdone by Hooda, who hit India's third consecutive six by driving legspinner Hayden Walsh inside-out, into the wind, and over extra cover. From 95 for 1 in 10 overs, the two hitters demonstrated even greater intent by scoring 17 runs off the 11th over, which was bowled by Obed McCoy, whose six-for in the second match sealed the series' demise. India was aiming for a huge sum of money.

The second half of the innings, which was cut short for a while when the lightning-threat warning went off, saw a strong recovery from Walsh and Smith. According to Florida state law, no sporting event may take place if there is a lightning threat within seven miles of the stadium. Even the onlookers had to seek safety.

The ball digging into the ground gave West Indies some relief on the field. Prior to the interval, Walsh changed ends around the wicket, forcing Hooda to hit into the wind on the leg side, and caught him in the deep. Iyer was caught by Holder, who then bowled for 64 off 40.

By bowling into the pitch and changing his pace in his final three overs—the 16th, 18th, and 20th—Smith only gave up 18 runs. He received three wickets as India searched for early runs as compensation. India failed to score quickly, with the exception of the 19th over, during which substitute skipper Hardik Pandya struck Holder for two sixes and four runs. Despite scoring just 76 runs in the final nine overs, India's total was still impressive.

Owns the powerplay is Axar.
India may have chosen to throw the fresh ball to Axar since they saw two right-handed batters come in to open because he frequently caused problems for right-handed batters with his lack of turn. Holder attempted to paddle Axar after taking two blows to the inside of the bat, but was instead hit on the inner edge and had his leg stump knocked back. Axar eliminated Devon Thomas and Shamarh Brroks in the fifth over after a wicket-maiden to begin. When Thomas attempted to cut, the ball continued to skid and beat the inside edge. Brooks was beaten on the inside edge and stumped.

Arm-twisters gain control
At one end, Hetmyer played a single hand of 56 off 35, but Kuldeep and Bishnoi wrecked havoc at the other. A Kuldeep flipper that was played back to a full ball defeated Pooran. Keemo Paul and Rovman Powell were unaware of the Bishnoi miscreant. Kuldeep's wrong'uns received no response from Drakes or Smith. Only Hetmyer gave Bishnoi an extended inning before holing out to long off.