Lucknow. After winning the gold medal in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, Team India is now eyeing the T20 series against West Indies. The first match of the five-match T20 series between the two teams will be played on 6 October (Tuesday) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match will start at 7 pm Indian time.
The Indian team recently won the gold medal for the second consecutive time by defeating Pakistan in the men's cricket final of the Asian Games. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Verma made important contributions with the bat in the final. Whereas Shivam Dubey showed all-round performance.
Big responsibility on captain Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer will captain the Indian team in the T20 series. India also won gold in the Asian Games under the leadership of Iyer. Now their effort will be to start the series against West Indies with a win. However, West Indies cannot be taken lightly. India won 2-1 in the ODI series, but in the third ODI, West Indies performed brilliantly and won a big victory. In such a situation, the Caribbean team would like to make a strong comeback in the T20 series.
Sanju-Abhishek can open
In the possible playing-11 for the first T20, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma can be given the responsibility of opening. Ishan Kishan can land at number-3. After this, captain Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Verma will strengthen the middle order. Eyes will once again be on Abhishek and Tilak, who performed brilliantly in the final of the Asian Games.
Shivam Dubey and Nitish Reddy will provide all-round options
In the middle order, Shivam Dubey and Nitish Kumar Reddy will give the team the option of bowling along with batting. Whereas Akshar Patel can be seen in the role of spin all-rounder. In bowling, Kuldeep Yadav will be the main spinner, while Arshdeep Singh can handle the fast bowling. Prince Yadav is likely to get a chance as the second fast bowler.
Coach Gambhir's big statement on Vaibhav
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir said about Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 'Vaibhav is very talented and is in good form, but sometimes you have to wait for your chance because we want to create that environment of security in the dressing room.
After gold, now eye on T20 series
After winning gold by defeating Pakistan in the Asian Games, the new challenge for Team India is now from West Indies. The first T20 to be held in Lucknow will not only be the beginning of the five-match series, but will also mark the beginning of a new campaign for the Indian team after the gold medal match.
India's probable playing-11 in the first T20: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav.
Probable playing-11 of West Indies in the first T20: Shai Hope (captain/wicketkeeper), Roston Chase, Matthew Ford, Shimron Hetmyer, Akil Hussain, Gudakesh Moti, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.
India's full squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Shivam Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Naman Dheer, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav.
West Indies Squad: Shai Hope (captain), Roston Chase, Matthew Ford, Shimron Hetmyer, Akil Hussain, Aamir Jangu, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Moti, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.
Full schedule of T20 series
1st T20: 6 October 2026 (Lucknow)
2nd T20: 9 October 2026 (Ranchi)
3rd T20: 11 October 2026 (Indore)
4th T20: 14 October 2026 (Hyderabad)
Fifth T20: 17 October 2026 (Bengaluru)