The deciding fifth and final T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned and the series spoils shared as Bengaluru's monsoon rains had the final say in the outcome of the contest.
Only 3.3 overs of play was possible before players were taken off the field for the second time. Even with the SubAir sub-surface aeration and drainage system available, the game needed to resume by 22:02 IST for a five-over game, which the umpires deemed was not possible due to the persistent drizzle.
Rishabh Pant lost his fifth consecutive toss in the brief window of opportunity before the rain began to fall, and he was once again forced to set a total. After a brief period of rain delayed the start of play, stand-in Proteas skipper Keshav Maharaj was slog-swept for a pair of sixes by Ishan Kishan in a 16-run first over.
Kishan, on the other hand, was undone by a sinking slower ball from Lungi Ngidi in the following over and had his stumps replaced for the first time this series. With another slower delivery mistimed to mid-on, the South African quick added the wicket of the other opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Pant played a single delivery before the umpires had to pull the players off the field because to rain. The drizzle continued for another hour and a half, enforcing the decision to abandon. With this outcome, South Africa has now drawn two consecutive T20I series in India, having drawn the two-match series in 2019.