It is all square in the T20I series, and Indore gets to host the decider before the decider. India and West Indies walk into the Holkar Stadium this evening for the third T20I of the five-match series with the scoreboard reading 1-1, and the winner tonight takes the lead heading into the business end of the tour. Given how the first two games went, one in Lucknow and one in Ranchi, expect the pendulum to keep swinging.
India struck first, wrapping up the opener in Lucknow on October 6 with a comfortable eight-wicket win. West Indies hit back in Ranchi, where they won the toss, asked India to bat, and chased the target down to spoil the home party. Sherfane Rutherford was at the heart of it, taking the attack to India’s bowlers just as he has done all series. The one constant so far has been entertainment, and the Holkar Stadium, famous for its short boundaries and true batting surface, is unlikely to break that pattern.
Series on the line, momentum up for grabs
Shreyas Iyer’s side has looked the more settled unit, but Ranchi exposed a couple of cracks. India’s bowling went around the park in the middle overs, and with dew playing a part, the three-specialist-bowler strategy will be under the microscope again. West Indies, on the other hand, will feel they have cracked the code: their power-hitters finally clicked in unison, and captain Shai Hope has led from the front with calm, composed innings at the top.
The visitors’ biggest worry remains their bowling. Outside of Akeal Hosein, who has been their most reliable spinner, the attack has leaked runs against an Indian batting line-up that goes deep. India’s batters, meanwhile, have been in sparkling form. Ishan Kishan crossed 50 sixes in the calendar year during the Ranchi game, Abhishek Sharma has been destructive in the powerplay, and Tilak Varma continues his rich vein that began at the Asian Games in Nisshin.
Indore: the run-fest capital
If there is one venue in India where bowlers check the weather and sigh, it is the Holkar Stadium. The outfield is quick, the square is small, and the pitch almost always plays flat and true. Totals in the 220s have been chased here in the past, and both teams know that anything under 200 might not be enough tonight. The captain winning the toss will be tempted to chase, especially with dew expected in the second innings, just as it was in Ranchi.
For India, the middle-overs battle between Kuldeep Yadav and Rutherford will be one to watch. Rutherford took Kuldeep down in Ranchi, and the wrist-spinner went for 53 in his four overs, his only wicket coming too late to change the game. How he responds tonight could decide the match.
Team news and probable playing XIs
India are unlikely to make wholesale changes, but there are a couple of calls to make. Shivam Dube had an ordinary night in Ranchi with both bat and ball, and Nitish Kumar Reddy is pushing for a spot as the right-handed middle-order option. Mayank Yadav was the most expensive of India’s bowlers in Ranchi and could make way for Prince Yadav, though the team management may back the young quick again. Sanju Samson’s place has been debated after a string of low scores, but the management has backed him consistently and he is expected to keep the gloves.
West Indies are likely to stick with the combination that won in Ranchi. With limited bowling depth in the squad, there is little room to shuffle, but Gudakesh Motie adds a second spin option alongside Hosein.
India (probable XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube/Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav/Prince Yadav
West Indies (probable XI): Shai Hope (c/wk), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie
Match details: time, venue, where to watch
- Match: India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
- Start time: 7:00 PM IST (toss at 6:30 PM IST)
- TV: Star Sports Network
- Live streaming: JioHotstar app and website
FAQs
What is the score in the IND vs WI T20I series?
The five-match series is level at 1-1. India won the first T20I in Lucknow by eight wickets, and West Indies won the second in Ranchi.
What time does the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I start?
The match starts at 7:00 PM IST today at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, with the toss at 6:30 PM IST.
Where can I watch IND vs WI 3rd T20I live?
The game will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
Who are the key players to watch tonight?
For India, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav. For West Indies, Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford and Akeal Hosein. The Kuldeep vs Rutherford middle-overs duel is the key battle.
What happens if India win tonight?
India will take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with two games to play, putting them one win away from sealing the series.
Indore has rarely disappointed as a T20 venue, and with the series perfectly poised, tonight has all the ingredients of a classic. India will want to reassert the dominance they showed in Lucknow, while West Indies smell an opportunity to go ahead in the series for the first time. Whatever happens, the Holkar crowd is in for a run-laden evening.
