India beat West Indies by five runs in the fifth match of the West Indies in India series on 27 September 2026. The visitors posted 295 before India reached 300 with a few deliveries to spare. It continued a pattern of nail-biting finishes between these sides.
West Indies have been playing out of their skin against New Zealand over the summer, but the margins tell a different story. They won two games by a single run and lost three, each time by less than four runs. This match fitted right into that pattern.
India's recent record shows more variety. They crushed Afghanistan by 127 runs, then lost two games by one and four runs respectively. The heavy defeat to Sri Lanka at 503 for 719 still sits in memory, but the Japan game on 22 September was another tight one at 32 for 30.
What stands out is how both teams have been trading blows in these close encounters. West Indies won 268-267 and lost 188-189 against New Zealand in back-to-back fixtures. India responded to their Japan loss with a comfortable win over Afghanistan before getting dragged into the grind.
The result keeps India ahead in the five-match series. West Indies will have to find another gear if they want to salvage anything from this tour. These matches are being decided by five runs or fewer, and there is no value left at that margin for either side.
