Sports
India to Face West Indies in T20 Series After Asian Games Gold
India will play a five‑match T20 series against the West Indies at home after winning the Asian Games gold medal in Japan. The series starts on October 6, 2026, with the first match at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow at 7 PM IST. The venue has a history of being bowler‑friendly in the first half of innings, with the pitch flattening later. Weather forecasts predict a few spells of rain, but clear conditions are expected during play.
India’s squad will feature Shreyas Iyer as captain and will include an extra batter, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, over Arshdeep Singh’s pace. Jasprit Bumrah will be rested, and Arshdeep Singh is expected to lead the attack. Sanju Samson will retain his wicket‑keeper role after scoring consecutive fifties against Afghanistan. Kuldeep Yadav may replace Ravi Bishnoi as the frontline wrist‑spinner. Prince Yadav or Mayank Yadav could partner Arshdeep in the pace attack, with Nitish Kumar Reddy also expected in the XI.
The West Indies will bring reinforcements for the T20Is, including Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, and Akeal Hosein. Kamil Pooran will open the innings, and Shai Hope will captain and keep wickets. Keemo Paul may replace Jason Holder. The West Indies squad will also feature Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, and Shamar Joseph.
India’s recent nine‑match winning streak in the format, including a gold‑medal triumph in Nisshin, has bolstered confidence. The West Indies, who won their last T20 series against Sri Lanka and had a respectable World Cup campaign, aim to re‑establish themselves as a premier power‑house in the shortest format.
The series follows India’s five‑day turnaround from the Asian Games to the first T20I, and a subsequent five‑day gap before a match against New Zealand in Christchurch. The schedule presents challenges in travel, recovery, and match preparation, but both teams are eager to maintain momentum in the T20 arena.