.jpeg)
West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the 4th T20I on October 14, 2026, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. West Indies scored 247 for 3 in 20 overs, while India managed 223 in 19.3 overs with the innings closed after a retirement hurt. The loss forced a series decider in Bengaluru after the series was levelled 2-2.
Sunil Gavaskar analysed the match and pointed to India's bowling execution as the primary reason for the defeat rather than pitch conditions. The former India captain noted that West Indies bowlers also struggled with their lines and lengths during India's chase, particularly when Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy were building their partnership. Gavaskar's commentary highlighted a critical distinction between blaming external factors and taking responsibility for bowling accuracy.
"Even the West Indies bowlers made quite a few errors while the partnership between Tilak Varma and Nitish was developing; they bowled too many full tosses. We often talk about pitches and blame them, claiming they offer no assistance to the bowlers. But if you bowl full tosses, the pitch isn't to blame," Gavaskar said on JioHotstar.
"Only later, when they bowled the right length or delivered yorkers, did they find success," he added.
How Iyer acknowledged India's bowling shortcomings?
India's captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the bowling shortcomings that cost his team the match. Iyer recognised that West Indies executed their plans more effectively with the ball, particularly in the death overs and crucial phases of India's chase. The captain's assessment aligned with Gavaskar's analysis of execution over external circumstances.
"It all started with bowling. We didn't execute our line and lengths well and, at the end of the day, when you're chasing 250, you have to go about it in a certain pattern," Iyer said.
The series decider was scheduled for Saturday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, with both teams level at 2-2 in the five-match series. The final match would determine the winner of the T20I series between the two teams.
