3 occasions a T20I sequence decider was washed out in India ft. IND vs WI 2026

It is rare for India to be competing in series deciders on home soil, considering that they often claim unassailable leads before the series finale, especially recently. However, sometimes the Men in Blue have had to dig hard to claim the series with a win in the last match, but on a few occasions, they have had to settle for draws as well.

India’s spectacular home series win streak, which began in 2019, has been under threat on a few occasions. In those instances, the team has either been able to win to clinch the series, or the weather has intervened to settle the series as a draw.

A number of India’s matches in recent times have been called off due to various reasons, including rain and fog, both at home and away, but none of them have been series deciders.

On that note, let us take a look at three times a T20I series decider was washed out in India.

#1 IND vs WI 2026 5th T20I (M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)

The highly anticipated series finale between India and West Indies to conclude the highly competitive, and high-scoring five-match affair ended up being a drab affair as rain had the final say. The weather forecast was far from promising during the build-up to the game, and as expected, the start was considerably delayed due to rain.

Although the rain relented in between to allow the groundsmen to prepare the venue for the toss and a nine-over per side shootout, the match was eventually abandoned after 7.4 overs. Both sides shook hands after the cut-off time was reached, leaving the series level at 2-2, without a winner.

India, after being put in to bat first, was in a strong position after smashing 118-5 in 46 deliveries. Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir chipped in with crucial cameos, but the Men in Blue, including the returning Bhuvneshwar Kumar, did not have a chance to defend the score due to inclement weather.

#2 IND vs SA 2022 5th T20I (M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)

Four years before the washout in Bengaluru to end the T20I series between India and West Indies, the iconic venue witnessed another series decider ending in a stalemate between India and South Africa. The Men in Blue had made a strong comeback after being 2-0 down in the series, and were on the lookout to win three in a row and clinch the series.

South Africa, on the other hand, were also looking to avoid their first series loss in India after winning in 2015 and drawing in 2019. The Proteas opted to bowl first in the fifth T20I and made a strong start by reducing India to 28-2 inside the powerplay.

However, midway through the fourth over, rain arrived to have the final say. Play did not resume after that, and the two sides eventually shook hands, declaring the match a washout, and the series ending on a 2-2 scoreline.

#3 IND vs AUS 2017 3rd T20I (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad)

India and Australia eyed a T20I series win in 2017 after the three-match series was well-poised at 1-1. Rain had intervened in the series opener in Ranchi as well, where the Men in Blue won by nine wickets after their run chase was reduced to six overs.

Australia fought back with a comprehensive win in the second T20I in Guwahati, winning by eight wickets and 27 balls to spare, sending the series into a do-or-die clash.

The third T20I, however, was completely washed out without a single ball being bowled at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Captains Virat Kohli and David Warner had to settle for a drawn series as persistent rain and a wet outfield prevented a match from happening at all.

Edited by Gokul Nair