India and West Indies open their five-match T20I series tonight in Lucknow. Both teams have new faces, a new captain is leading India, and the Ekana Stadium pitch can change how the game goes. Here is everything you need to know before the first ball.
India vs West Indies 1st T20I: Match Details
- Match: India vs West Indies, 1st T20I
- Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM IST, with the toss usually 30 minutes earlier
- Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Live coverage: Star Sports Network on TV and JioHotstar for streaming
The T20Is follow the three-match ODI series. After Lucknow, the series moves to Ranchi on October 9, Indore on October 11, Hyderabad on October 14 and Bengaluru on October 17.
A New-Look India Under Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer leads the T20I side, and Tilak Varma is his vice-captain. Some big names are missing. Neither Rishabh Pant nor Hardik Pandya was picked for this series.
India still has plenty of firepower at the top. Abhishek Sharma comes in with great form. He was Player of the Series against Afghanistan and hit a record-breaking 30-ball hundred in the final T20I. Pace is boosted as well. Mayank Yadav is back after missing the Afghanistan series.
India T20I Squad
Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma (vc), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav.
West Indies: Fresh Talent Led by Shai Hope
Shai Hope captains West Indies in both formats. The biggest talking point is uncapped opener Kamil Pooran. He earned his place after scoring 273 runs in eight CPL 2026 innings at a strike rate of 159.64. Quentin Sampson returns to the squad, while all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested.
West Indies T20I Squad
Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.
Ekana Stadium Pitch Report
Lucknow’s surface is usually on the slower side, and spinners can grip the ball through the middle overs. That brings Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel into play for India, and Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie for West Indies. Evening dew can make the ball harder to grip in the second innings, so the team winning the toss may prefer to chase.
This ground has good memories for India against this opponent. In 2018, India posted 195/2 at the Ekana and beat West Indies by 71 runs. Rohit Sharma made an unbeaten 111 that night.
Recent Form
India go in as clear favourites at home. Earlier this year, India beat West Indies by five wickets to book their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. West Indies are using this tour to test young players. Their selectors are looking ahead to the 2028 T20 World Cup.
India vs West Indies Predicted Playing XI
India
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies (Probable)
Kamil Pooran, Shai Hope (c, wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
Key Players to Watch
Abhishek Sharma
His fearless strokeplay in the powerplay can take the game away from West Indies early.
Kuldeep Yadav
On a slow Lucknow surface, his wrist spin could be the difference in the middle overs.
Kamil Pooran
The debutant opener comes in hot from the CPL and has nothing to lose on his first night in international cricket.
Shimron Hetmyer
He is the West Indies batter most likely to punish loose bowling at the death.
Match Prediction
India have home advantage, a deep spin attack and a powerful top order, so they start as favourites. West Indies have big hitters like Powell, Hetmyer and Rutherford, though, and T20 cricket can turn in a single over. Expect India to edge it, especially if they chase under lights.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the India vs West Indies 1st T20I start?
The match starts at 7:00 PM IST today at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. Get your PlayInMatch ID before the toss so you don’t miss the opening overs.
Who is captaining India in the T20I series against West Indies?
Shreyas Iyer is captain and Tilak Varma is vice-captain.
Where can I watch India vs West Indies live?
The match is on Star Sports on TV and JioHotstar for streaming. For live odds alongside the action, PlayInMatch ID puts every market in one dashboard.
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