India and West Indies meet in the third T20I with the five-match series level at 1-1, making Indore a genuine momentum match. After West Indies’ record chase in Ranchi, India need a much sharper bowling performance, while the visitors will believe their power-hitting can trouble any total at Holkar Stadium.
This is the third of five T20Is. India won the opener in Lucknow by eight wickets, but West Indies hit back in Ranchi by chasing 250 with more than an over to spare, leaving the series finely balanced at 1-1.
Holkar Stadium is one of India’s most batter-friendly T20 venues. The pitch is expected to be flat and true, with the ball coming nicely onto the bat, while the short boundaries make mishits dangerous and turn ordinary overs into boundary-heavy ones.
Bowlers will need to use slower balls, wide yorkers and changes of pace because defensive lines alone are unlikely to work. India’s spinners, especially Kuldeep Yadav, will have to vary pace and length rather than rely on grip or turn.
A total around 220-plus is very much possible, and the side batting first will want at least 230 to feel secure. Historically, Indore has rewarded teams that pile on runs; 200-plus totals have been successfully defended in all four matches at the venue where that mark was crossed.
Indore should have clear skies throughout the evening, with no rain expected. The temperature is likely to be around 31 degrees Celsius at 6 PM, dropping to about 28 degrees at the start, 26 degrees by 8 PM and roughly 22 degrees late in the night.
IND vs WI Match details
- Match: India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I, West Indies tour of India, 2026/27
- Series: West Indies in India, 5 T20I Series, 2026
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM local time / 7:00 PM IST
- Toss: 6:30 PM IST
- Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Live streaming in India: JioHotstar app and website
IND vs WI Live Streaming Info
For the most reliable online option, Indian viewers should use JioHotstar, Pakistani viewers should check Tapmad, and fans in North America should use Willow TV.- India: Live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.
- Pakistan: Available on Tapmad and selected local sports channels.
- USA and Canada: Live on Willow TV and the Willow app.
- UK and Ireland: Live on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Go and NOW.
- Caribbean: Live on ESPN and ESPN digital platforms.
- Australia: Live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports.
- South Africa and Africa: Live on SuperSport Cricket and the SuperSport app.
The IND vs WI 3rd T20 match will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
India vs West Indies 3rd T20 2026: ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.The main concern is dew. As the match progresses, the ball could become wet and slippery, making it harder for bowlers to grip and execute slower deliveries. That may give the chasing team an advantage, although India will remember that big first-innings totals have still been defended at this ground.
Why this match matters
For India, this is about more than regaining the lead. Their batting has been excellent, but they were unable to defend 249 in Ranchi, raising concerns about death-over plans, fielding and the balance of an attack that has relied heavily on three specialist bowlers.
West Indies, meanwhile, have proof that they can out-hit India even on a big total. Shai Hope’s century and Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive 84 turned the Ranchi game around, and they will arrive in Indore confident rather than under pressure.
The winner will take a 2-1 lead with only two matches remaining. More importantly, the result could shape the confidence of both bowling units for the rest of the series.
Recent form
India’s last five completed T20Is read LWWWW, showing that they remain one of the strongest sides in the format despite the Ranchi defeat. West Indies are WLWLW, a less consistent run but one that includes a statement win over India.
On this tour, every completed match—three ODIs and two T20Is—has been won by the chasing side. That trend, combined with likely dew, could make the toss important, though Indore’s history suggests a massive total can still be defended.
Head-to-head record
India clearly lead the overall T20I rivalry.
India have won 21 of the 33 T20Is between the teams, while West Indies have 11 wins and one match ended without a result.
Last five meetings
West Indies’ latest win was especially significant: they successfully chased India’s 249/5, finishing on 252/4 in 19.2 overs.
India team analysis
India’s biggest strength is their top-order batting depth. Abhishek Sharma can take the game away in the powerplay, while Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma give the lineup several match-winners. Iyer’s unbeaten 102 in Lucknow and Samson’s 82 off 41 balls in Ranchi underline how dangerous this batting unit is.
Their main weakness is bowling under pressure on flat pitches. Arshdeep Singh has managed only one wicket while conceding 79 runs across the first two games, and the team’s fielding also needs improvement after Mayank Yadav dropped Rutherford at a crucial stage in Ranchi.
Kuldeep Yadav remains central to India’s middle-overs plan, but West Indies attacked him successfully in Ranchi. Mayank Yadav’s raw pace brought three wickets in the previous match, and India may consider Nitish Kumar Reddy for Shivam Dube to add another seam-bowling option without weakening the batting.
Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies team analysis
West Indies have a dangerous blend of control and power. Captain Shai Hope has been outstanding, scoring two centuries on the tour and giving the innings stability at the top, while Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford can change the match within a few overs.
Rutherford is especially suited to Indore. He has made half-centuries in the first two T20Is, and his ability to hit over the infield and clear short boundaries makes him one of the most dangerous batters in this contest. Hope and Rutherford shared a decisive 120-run stand in Ranchi.
Their bowling is less settled. Roston Chase gave West Indies control with 3/24 in Ranchi, but Shamar Springer leaked 64 runs in four overs and may be under pressure. Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie give the side spin options, while Shamar Joseph provides pace, but the attack must bowl with far better discipline if West Indies are to defend a total in Indore.
Probable XI: Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Shamar Springer.
Key talking points
The first is whether India can defend a large score. They have the batters to post 230-plus, but their bowlers must bowl smarter yorkers, harder lengths and better variations at the death.
The second is the Kuldeep-Rutherford battle. Rutherford took Kuldeep for two sixes in Ranchi before being dismissed, and that contest could decide the middle overs if West Indies lose an early wicket.
Finally, fielding could be decisive. In a match where margins are small despite the high scores, India cannot afford another dropped catch against a West Indies side full of hitters.
India start as slight favourites because of their deeper batting lineup, home conditions and greater overall squad strength. However, West Indies’ confidence after the Ranchi chase, the expected dew and Indore’s small boundaries make this a close contest.
If India bat first, they should aim for 235-plus; anything below 220 could be chaseable under lights. West Indies will back Hope, Rutherford and Powell to keep pace with any target, but India’s batting firepower and home advantage give them the edge.