IND vs WI 5th T2OI: Will dew be a factor in Bengaluru?

The 5th T20 International between India and West Indies, taking place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, might be influenced by dew, with the toss potentially carrying significant weight. The two teams are currently tied at 1-1 in the five-match series. India secured the first two victories, defeating the West Indies in the first and third encounters held at Lucknow and Indore respectively.

However, the West Indies pulled off impressive batting performances in Ranchi and Hyderabad, drawing the series level. The match in Bengaluru will serve as the series decider.

Forecasted weather indicates that conditions will favor the fielding side that bats second. Temperatures are set to start around 23°C at 7 PM IST and drop to approximately 22°C by 10 PM. Meanwhile, humidity is expected to stay at 85 percent, with a dew point of 20°C. In the previous T20I at the same venue, India scored 249 for 5, but a heavy dew coated the outfield later in the evening, proving too challenging for their spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

Hope and Sherfane Rutherford capitalized on the situation, finishing the chase in just 18.3 overs. However, in the fourth T20I, West Indies effectively defended 247 runs, ultimately winning by 24 runs.

Given the conditions, history suggests that teams batting second have a higher chance of winning at this venue. Out of the nine international matches played at Chinnaswamy Stadium, teams batting second have won four times. Conversely, teams batting first have won three times, with two matches ending in no result. Based on these numbers, the most strategic choice would be for the captain to field first if they win the toss.