Fulfilment of duty will meet fulfilment of dream when India and the West Indies cross swords in the third episode of the T20I series at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday (October 11, 2026).
While the first match in Lucknow went like clockwork for India, West Indies showed in the second clash in Ranchi that it means business. Considering the imperious form the Men in Blue have maintained in the slam-bang format on home soil — they last lost a series in the country back in 2019 — they are expected to win every assignment in their backyard.
The away team smashed as many as 20 maximums off 111 legitimate deliveries, with the over-the-rope hits contributing to nearly half of its successful 250-run pursuit. For Shreyas Iyer and Co., it will be a matter of not leaving it late to preserve that proud record. If the home side is to regain the lead in the five-game joust, it must course correct quickly. The frequency at which the bowlers conceded sixes in the previous encounter must have left head coach Gautam Gambhir scratching his head. For West Indies, skipper Shai Hope has provided more than just a glimmer of hope after giving a shellacking to India. By chasing down a humongous total in the last match, the touring team has reminded everyone that no target is beyond reach for its ‘boundary-hitting machines’.
But firebrand pacer Mayank Yadav’s frightening burst before the visitors rendered their Calypso beats with the willow, should have brought some cheer to the Indian camp.