India will aim to bounce back and take the lead in the five-match T20I series when they face West Indies in the third T20I at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, October 11, 2026. With the series level at 1-1, both teams will be eager to take control after two high-scoring encounters.
India won the opening match by eight wickets after chasing down West Indies’ 171, with Shreyas Iyer scoring an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls. However, West Indies responded emphatically in the second T20I, chasing a massive target of 250 to secure a six-wicket victory and level the series.
Shai Hope led the visitors with an unbeaten 102 off just 45 deliveries, while Sherfane Rutherford smashed 84 from 37 balls. Their remarkable partnership turned the match around and exposed areas India will need to address before the third encounter.
Match Details
|
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
|
Match |
India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I |
|
Series |
West Indies tour of India 2026 |
|
Date |
Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
|
Time |
7:00 PM IST |
|
Venue |
Holkar Stadium, Indore |
|
Format |
T20 International |
|
Series Score |
1-1 |
Pitch Report
The Holkar Stadium in Indore is known for its batting-friendly conditions and relatively short boundaries, making it a promising venue for another high-scoring contest. Batters can play their shots freely once they settle, while bowlers must rely on accurate lines, variations and effective execution at the death.
After the enormous totals in the second T20I, both teams will be aware that even a score above 200 may not guarantee victory. The toss could be important, particularly if the team batting second believes the conditions will favour a successful chase.
India Team Overview
India will be keen to respond after their bowling attack struggled to defend 249 in Ranchi. Although the batting lineup delivered an impressive total, the team could not contain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford during their match-winning partnership.
Shreyas Iyer will be a key figure after his outstanding century in the opening match, while Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma provide additional firepower. India will need their bowlers to improve their execution, particularly in the middle overs and at the death.
The hosts have the quality to regain the series lead, but they must find a better balance between attacking cricket and controlling the opposition’s scoring rate.
West Indies Team Overview
West Indies will enter the third T20I with renewed confidence after completing a remarkable chase in the previous match. Shai Hope’s unbeaten century and Rutherford’s explosive innings demonstrated the visitors’ ability to chase even a daunting target.
The visitors will look to maintain their aggressive approach while ensuring that their bowlers provide enough support. Their performance in Ranchi showed that the team can compete with India in high-scoring conditions, but consistency will be essential if they want to take a 2-1 lead.
Hope will once again be central to West Indies’ batting plans, while Rutherford’s power-hitting could prove decisive if the visitors need another strong finish.
Predicted Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (c/wk), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
These are predicted lineups and may change when the teams announce their official XIs.
Players to Watch
Best Batter: Shai Hope
Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 45 balls in the second T20I makes him one of the most dangerous batters heading into the third match. His ability to combine controlled batting with aggressive stroke play could again put India under pressure.
Best Bowler: Axar Patel
Axar Patel could play an important role in controlling the middle overs. His accuracy and ability to vary his pace will be valuable against a West Indies batting lineup that thrives on attacking options.
Key Indian Batter: Shreyas Iyer
Iyer’s unbeaten 102 in the opening match showed his ability to dominate an attack. India will hope he can produce another substantial innings and help them regain momentum.
Match Prediction
The third T20I promises another competitive encounter, with both teams carrying confidence from their respective victories. India have a strong batting lineup and home advantage, but their bowling performance will need to improve after West Indies chased down 250 in the previous match.
West Indies will believe they can win again if Hope and Rutherford continue their excellent form. However, India’s batting depth and experience could give them a slight edge in Indore.
Prediction: India to win the third T20I and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
