Indore: The West Indies have won the toss and chosen to bowl first in the third T20I against India at the Holkar Stadium, setting up a fascinating evening of cricket with the five-match series locked at 1-1. Shai Hope had no hesitation at the toss, backing his side’s red-hot chasing form after that astonishing night in Ranchi.
India, still smarting from what happened a few days ago, have made two changes to their playing XI. Pacer Prince Yadav and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy come in, while Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube miss out. The West Indies made just one change, with Keemo Paul replacing Akeal Hosein.
Ranchi: the night that changed the series
A quick recap, because context matters. India posted 249 for 5 in the second T20I, a total that wins you almost every game of T20 cricket. Sanju Samson was sublime, smashing 82 off 33 balls, Ishan Kishan chipped in with 43, and late cameos from Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma pushed the score to a mountain.
Then the mountain moved. Shai Hope hammered an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls and Sherfane Rutherford blasted 84 off 37, and the West Indies chased down 250 with more than an over to spare to seal a six-wicket win. It was their highest successful chase in T20I history, and it snapped India’s ten-match unbeaten streak in the format. Lucknow, where India won the opener by eight wickets, suddenly felt a long time ago.
Confirmed playing XIs for tonight
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav
West Indies: Shai Hope (c and wk), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Keemo Paul, Roston Chase, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie
The message from India’s selection is clear. The bowling combinations that leaked runs in Ranchi will not simply be repeated. The spinners, in particular, came under heavy fire in the second game, and the team management has opted for extra pace and seam options in Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav, with Nitish Kumar Reddy adding balance as a seam-bowling all-rounder.
Why Hope chose to chase
Two reasons drove the toss call. First, confidence: this West Indies side has just pulled off one of the great chases in T20I history, and Hope clearly believes his batters can hunt down anything. Second, conditions: dew is expected to settle on the outfield later in the evening, and once it does, the ball becomes harder to grip for bowlers while it skids nicely onto the bat.
The Holkar Stadium surface only strengthens the logic. Indore is famous for its batting-friendly conditions: true bounce, a lightning fast outfield, and short square boundaries that tempt every batter in the line-up. India have posted some of their biggest T20I totals on this ground, and totals in the 220s have been chased here before. Anything under 200 might not be enough tonight.
Key battles that will decide the game
- Samson and Abhishek vs the new ball: India’s openers are in blazing form, and how Shamar Joseph and company handle the first six overs will set the tone.
- Shai Hope vs India’s bowlers: Axar Patel and Naman Dhir were taken apart in Ranchi. Getting the West Indies captain early is arguably India’s single biggest priority tonight.
- The death overs: Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav against finishers like Rutherford and Powell could decide another high-scoring night.
- Roston Chase’s all-round role: His 3 for 24 in Ranchi showed that control is possible even on these pitches. The Windies will want more of the same.
What is at stake
With the series level at 1-1, the winner of tonight’s game takes a 2-1 lead with two matches remaining. In a five-match series, that is a big psychological edge. For India, this is about reasserting authority at home after a defeat that genuinely stung. For the West Indies, back-to-back wins would put them one victory away from a famous series triumph on Indian soil.
The action is underway in Indore. If the first two games are any indication, the fans in the stands and millions watching at home are in for another classic.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the toss in the IND vs WI 3rd T20I?
West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and elected to bowl first, with dew expected later in the evening.
What time did the 3rd T20I start?
The match began at 7:00 PM IST on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the toss at 6:30 PM IST at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
What is the series score between India and West Indies?
The five-match series is level at 1-1. India won the first T20I in Lucknow by eight wickets, and the West Indies won the second in Ranchi by six wickets.
What changes did India make for the 3rd T20I?
India brought in Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy in place of Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube, while the West Indies replaced Akeal Hosein with Keemo Paul.
Where can I watch IND vs WI 3rd T20I live?
The match is being broadcast on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi on television, and streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
