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Abhishek Sharma is on the brink of achieving a remarkable milestone, needing just 53 runs to cross 2,000 T20I runs during the second T20I against West Indies. With a chance to eclipse Suryakumar Yadav's record for the fastest attainment of this feat, Sharma's current high strike rate demonstrates his game-changing prowess.
The young batter went on an attacking spree in the nets, repeatedly hitting the ball over the boundary and towards the stands. With every big hit, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed why he has become one of the most talked-about young batters in the Indian squad.
Ishan Kishan is returning to his hometown of Ranchi, ready to take on the West Indies in the second T20I. This match offers a golden opportunity for Kishan to demonstrate his skill and confidence. The batting coach of India highlighted their unwavering fearless attitude towards the game. With selection decisions on bowlers and batting spots pending, players are eager to impress.
After lackluster performances in the T20I series against the West Indies, Sanju Samson is under fire from critics. Aakash Chopra advises against dropping him for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, asserting that Samson's previous accomplishments merit further chances. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy's entry into the squad is debated but seems unlikely imminently. The talks surrounding India's opening combination will likely persist as long as performance concerns remain.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson criticised Gautam Gambhir for frequently changing India’s playing XI and batting order, saying it affects team consistency. However, he praised Gambhir for backing players like Sanju Samson. Meanwhile, West Indies defeated India by six wickets after chasing 250, with Shai Hope scoring an unbeaten 102 to level the five-match T20I series at 1-1.
Roston Chase showcased a stunning performance with the ball, leading the West Indies to triumph over India in the second T20I. Claiming three wickets for only 24 runs, he dramatically influenced the match's result. Despite India amassing 249 runs, Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford forged a critical partnership that shifted the momentum in favor of the West Indies, sparking debates about the balance between bat and ball in the sport.
India's T20I bowling performance has declined in 2026 when Jasprit Bumrah is absent from the team. Without him, India's average has increased notably, and they are struggling to take wickets. The ongoing T20I series against the West Indies has highlighted these challenges, particularly on batting-friendly surfaces. Additionally, India's fielding issues, including dropped catches, are compounding their problems.
Ravichandran Ashwin criticized Shai Hope's decision to keep Akeal Hosein bowling during the PowerPlay. Sanju Samson capitalized on this, scoring 82 runs off 41 balls. Despite India's strong batting performance, the West Indies managed to chase down 249 runs successfully. Shai Hope's unbeaten century led his team to level the series at 1-1. The upcoming matches could continue to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by bowlers.
West Indies were forced to leave out Romario Shepherd and brought in Quentin Sampson and Keemo Paul for him and Akeal Hosein
India batter Tilak Varma was involved in an unusual run-out during the third T20I against West Indies on Sunday after a misunderstanding with Axar Patel cost him his wicket. The incident took place in the 17th over, with Gudakesh Motie bowling to Axar. The Indian all-rounder flicked a low full toss towards deep backward square leg, where Kamil Pooran dived to prevent the ball from reaching the boundary.
"He's the X-factor so far," Shamar Springer says about Roston Chase
Abhishek Sharma's dynamic performance with a blistering 69 runs played a crucial role in propelling India to a total against the West Indies. With determined bowling efforts, India successfully limited the visitors to 209 runs, clinching the match by 14 runs. West Indies all-rounder Shamar Springer mentioned their strategy to curb Sharma's aggressive play. Despite facing tough opposition, India showcased resilience, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series.
Tilak Varma achieved a significant milestone by making 50 catches in T20Is against West Indies. This accomplishment makes him the fifth Indian fielder to reach this landmark. His efficiency is notable, with a dismissals-per-innings ratio of 0.757, the best among Indian players. In the match, he was involved in an unusual run-out but contributed 28 runs. India eventually won the match by 14 runs, leading the series 2-1.
Naman Dhir, primarily recognised as a batting all-rounder, has made a significant impact with his bowling, particularly in a recent T20I match against the West Indies where he secured two important wickets. He attributes his bowling success to his keen understanding of batting techniques. While he still prioritises his batting skills, Dhir is dedicated to enhancing his bowling contributions, prioritizing enjoyment in his cricket journey.
India fast bowler Prince Yadav made a valuable contribution with the bat in the third T20I against the West Indies in Indore. After India's 14-run victory, Prince revealed that he had used Abhishek Sharma's bat to score his quick runs. Prince hit three fours in the final over bowled by Shamar Joseph to finish with 13 runs off six balls. His cameo helped India post 223/5 in 20 overs at the Holkar Stadium.
India's bowlers effectively neutralised Shai Hope, sending him back to the pavilion for just five runs. Leading the charge, Arshdeep Singh claimed three key wickets, aiding in the containment of the West Indies to 209 runs while protecting a total of 223. Renowned commentator Ian Bishop applauded India's excellent strategy, especially their skillful yorkers and line control.
During the thrilling third T20I against West Indies, Abhishek Sharma crossed the impressive landmark of 2,000 runs. With an explosive 69 from just 30 deliveries, he played a pivotal role in granting India a 2-1 series edge. Former cricketer Ajinkya Rahane lauded Abhishek's remarkable adaptability and relentless aggression at the crease.
Around 40,000 spectators expected for the match scheduled to begin at 7 p.m; police identified parking space for 8,000 vehicles and announce heavy-vehicle diversions around stadium
Dubai: India captain Shreyas Iyer jumped three places to a career-high fourth spot in the ICC's latest T20 International rankings for batters after making a blistering start in the ongoing five-match home series against the West Indies.Iyer smashed his maiden T20I century during the series-opener in Lucknow and his rise to fourth means India have four players inside the top quartet of the rankings for T20I batters.Iyer joined Ishan Kishan (top spot) and Abhishek Sharma (second) in the top-four with Sahibzada Farhan sandwiching the trio in third place. The Pakistan skipper reached a career-best
Jewel Andrew replaces Kamil Pooran while Romario Shepherd is back for Quentin Sampson
In an explosive performance, Shai Hope delivered an unbeaten 102 from just 50 balls during the fourth T20I against India, becoming the first player from the West Indies to notch three T20I centuries. His outstanding innings propelled West Indies to an impressive 247/3 after 20 overs, with vital contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford, leaving Indian bowlers struggling to keep up with the relentless West Indies pace.
The Indian opener hit his 69th six of 2026, going past former India captain Suryakumar Yadav's record of 68, which he set in 2022.
Paul led the West Indies bowling effort, taking five wickets for 41 runs in his four overs to help seal the win.
West Indies bowlers reined India in after Sanju Samson's 56 off 23
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth criticised the team management for frequently changing the opening combination, saying it has hurt Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s confidence. He questioned Samson’s inconsistency and suggested giving both players more opportunities. Meanwhile, West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I, with Shai Hope scoring an unbeaten century to level the series 2-2.
Sanju Samson has made waves in the cricketing world by smashing his 100th six in T20 Internationals. This achievement came during a thrilling fourth T20I match against the West Indies, where he scored an impressive 56 runs off just 23 deliveries. Leading Indian cricketers in sixes, he showcases his stellar talent, having accumulated 687 runs in just 24 games in 2026.
West Indies captain Shai Hope praised his team’s performance after scoring an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls against India in the fourth T20I. He said 247 was a competitive total, as the pitch proved challenging. West Indies won by 24 runs, levelling the series 2-2. Hope has enjoyed an outstanding India tour, scoring four centuries across formats.
India lost the fourth T20I by 24 runs while chasing 248 in Hyderabad
Keemo Paul struck at important moments during India's chase. He dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prince Yadav off successive deliveries before removing Axar Patel to seal the West Indies' victory. Explaining the bowling strategy, Paul said: “The game plan was to keep bowling into the wicket for as long as possible and execute our yorkers when we knew they were going for the big shots.”
Sanju Samson acknowledges Jasprit Bumrah's unique talent while highlighting the potential of younger bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav. He mentions the challenges faced by India's bowlers in the ongoing T20I series against West Indies. Samson praises West Indies captain Shai Hope for his impressive form throughout the series. He expresses confidence in Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan despite the top order's recent struggles.
During the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, West Indies defeated India by 24 runs to level the series. Sunil Gavaskar expressed criticism towards Shamar Joseph after a bouncer hit Arshdeep Singh on the shoulder. Despite pain, Arshdeep chose to continue batting, which raised concerns over his injury. Gavaskar also highlighted the need for India's batters to take more responsibility during their chase.
India last played a T20I in Bengaluru on January 17, 2024, when they faced Afghanistan in the third and final match of the series. India had already secured the series by winning the first two games.
Former India spinner R Ashwin criticised the team management for dropping Kuldeep Yadav from the last two T20Is against the West Indies, saying the decision “lacks a bit of common sense.” Ashwin argued Kuldeep’s variations troubled the visiting batters and could have saved India 15–20 runs. However, he supported Kuldeep’s exclusion in Indore due to the ground’s small dimensions.
Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring criticised the bilateral revenue model, saying the board earns nothing when the team tours India, despite series potentially generating $20–30 million. He traced the problem to a 1997 ICC decision allowing hosts to retain broadcasting revenue. Dehring blamed the system for West Indies’ financial struggles, which have led to player pay cuts and suspended domestic competitions.
Wasim Jaffer raised eyebrows over Rinku Singh not making the cut for India's T20I lineup, insisting that Rinku's presence might have shifted the tide in the fourth match against the West Indies. He assessed Rinku's batting output at crucial positions, comparing it to his teammates' while underscoring Naman Dhir as a significant player. All eyes are now on the thrilling fifth match set for Saturday.
Following India's defeat against West Indies, Mohammad Kaif expressed his apprehensions concerning the team's selection strategy. He emphasized that the bowling attack was inadequate throughout the series, leading to a failure in containing the West Indies' strong batting. Kaif also pointed out that Kuldeep Yadav's omission created an imbalance in the team, which is crucial as the series now stands at 2-2 with a decisive match upcoming.
Arshdeep sustained a blow to the shoulder while batting in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad
The head coach believes his side has done well to challenge India and has 'ticked boxes that keep us in the conversation'
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has remained on the bench for all four T20Is against West Indies and posted "still believing" on social media ahead of the series decider. Head coach Gautam Gambhir backed Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as openers, saying Sooryavanshi must wait for his opportunity but will receive a longer run once selected.
Hope scored an unbeaten century in the fourth T20I on Wednesday (October 14) and has made 261 runs across the four matches so far.
The recent decision by India to omit Kuldeep Yadav from the T20I squad has ignited discussions among cricket analysts. Experts like Michael Clarke emphasize that Kuldeep's knack for claiming wickets is invaluable in T20 matches. Meanwhile, Naman Dhir has adequately taken on the role of the second spinner. Nevertheless, Kuldeep's past performances against the West Indies, along with his extensive experience, raise important questions about India's future selection policies.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in India's T20I lineup after four long years, making his debut against West Indies in an essential fifth T20I reshaped by rain into a nine-over showdown. Captain Shreyas Iyer has included Bhuvneshwar along with Shivam Dube in the playing XI. West Indies leader Shai Hope opted for a bowling-first strategy, hoping to leverage it to his team's advantage.
India also boosted their batting with the return of Shivam Dube for Nitish Kumar Reddy
In a remarkable display, India achieved the quickest team fifty in men's T20I cricket, accomplishing this feat in a mere 2.5 overs against the West Indies. Unfortunately, relentless rain led to the abandonment of the match. The series concluded with both teams even at 2-2 after five thrilling encounters, with India's swift scoring and the record-setting fifty marking a high point in the series finale.
"We had this mindset that we want to play aggressive cricket and see to it that we are at the top of our game," Shreyas Iyer says
The no-result meant India's 12-series winning streak at home came to an end
India captain Shreyas Iyer urged Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to remain patient and trust his process despite missing the entire West Indies T20I series. Iyer praised consistent openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Reflecting on India's 2-2 series draw, he blamed inconsistent bowling for missed opportunities and praised West Indies captain Shai Hope, who won Player of the Series.
The 2-2 result in India follows a semi-finals finish at the T20 World Cup and a T20I series win against Sri Lanka at home
India's T20I series versus the West Indies has revealed significant challenges within their pace bowling lineup. The missing Jasprit Bumrah has compounded the team's struggles, leaving young bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Prince Yadav to find their footing. Fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel has discussed the mental strain affecting the players, highlighting the difficulties that lie ahead on India's upcoming tour of New Zealand.