The fifth and final T20I between India and West Indies will be played in Bengaluru on October 17.
India keeper-batter Sanju Samson has defended Indian bowlers after the Men in Blue lost the fourth T20I to West Indies in Hyderabad on October 14, 2026. The West Indies defeated India by 24 runs to level the five-T20I series 2-2.
India were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs despite a fifty by Sanju Samson, after the West Indies posted 247 for three, with Shai Hope smashing an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls and Keemo Paul claiming a five-wicket haul to level the five-match series 2-2.
Samson described the speed leader as a once-in-a-generation bowler and stated that India has no alternative for the rested Jasprit Bumrah. However, he encouraged the up-and-coming fast bowlers to get better with opportunities and experience.
"He is a once-in-a-generation bowler, and we are very lucky to have him. But we also have some really good talent coming through. Arshdeep has been doing a great job, and the way Prince Yadav has bowled in the last few games has been very impressive.
We have some really good quality talent, and the more we play them and back them, the more matches we give them, the better they will become," Samson said at the post-match press conference.
Indian bowlers had a poor day, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs each in their four overs, while Nitish Reddy and Naman Dhir went for 58 runs in 4 overs they bowled.
Samson said Hyderabad's conditions offered good bounce and were conducive to high-scoring T20 cricket. He used the Lucknow match as an illustration of how batting strategies must adapt to changing circumstances because the surface helped bowlers.
"Coming to Hyderabad, we know we get good bounce on the track and that the games can be high-scoring. That has been a constant feature of this series. When you are playing on a high-scoring ground, you have to go into fifth gear from ball one. But if you are playing on a surface where the scores are around 160-170, like in the Lucknow game, where there was something in the wicket, your plans change accordingly. You cannot always play the same kind of cricket. You have to assess the conditions, the bounce, and the situation,” Samson said.
Samson said the dismissal of Tilak, who scored 43 off 25 deliveries, proved decisive as India was still in contention at that stage.
"I think the turning point was when Tilak got out. As I said, we were cruising along nicely. Reddy and Tilak were putting the bowlers under pressure and batting really well,” Samson said.
Additionally, Samson supported Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, arguing that their performances at the top of the order shouldn't be overshadowed by a single match.
"I think Ishan and Abhishek Sharma are two of the best batters in the world at the top of the order. You cannot really ask for more from them. One game (not scoring) is fine.
We are 2-2 now, and everything comes down to the game in Bengaluru. We are very charged up and want to go out there and compete against them. West Indies have been playing some really good cricket, and you have to give them credit for coming to India and dominating in two games," he said.
The fifth and final T20I will be played in Bengaluru on October 17, 2026.
(PTI inputs)