Abhishek's 69, Arshdeep's three wickets give India 2-1 lead over West Indies

India beat West Indies by 14 runs in the third Twenty20 international at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, 11 October 2026, to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Sent in to bat after West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss, India were bowled out for 223 in 20 overs, with opener Abhishek Sharma scoring 69 off 30 balls. West Indies replied with 209 for seven. Left-arm pace bowler Arshdeep Singh took three wickets for 44 runs and was named Player of the Match. The win came two days after West Indies had beaten India by six wickets in Ranchi to level the series.

This series is a real contest. West Indies arrived with a powerful batting line-up and showed in Ranchi that they can chase big totals in Indian conditions. That defeat put pressure on India to respond quickly, and Indore was the place to do it. By regaining the lead, India have ensured that they cannot lose the series in the next match, and a win in either of the two remaining games will secure it.

The match also showed both the strength and the weakness of India's batting approach. Abhishek Sharma's 69 from 30 balls gave India a flying start and set up a total that proved above par on a pitch where the ball did not bounce much. But India did not bat out their overs in comfort. After the strong start, wickets fell steadily through the middle and late overs, and India were bowled out in the final over. A side that loses all ten wickets in a Twenty20 innings has usually left runs on the table, and the team management will want a steadier finish in the remaining games.

With the ball, India's control at the death made the difference. West Indies kept up with the rate for long periods through Hetmyer and Pooran, and Springer's late hitting, 35 not out from 11 balls, showed how quickly the game could have turned. Arshdeep's three wickets broke the chase at important moments and kept the target out of reach.

For Shreyas Iyer, who captained India in the match, the result restores momentum. For West Indies, the defeat is narrow enough to give them belief that they can still win the series.

Short-term: India go into the fourth match needing one more win to clinch the series, while West Indies must win to stay alive.

Long-term: The series is a useful test of India's Twenty20 batting depth and death bowling against a strong hitting side, and individual performances such as Abhishek's and Arshdeep's will count in future selection.

Who is affected: India's selectors and players, the West Indies squad, and cricket fans following the series in both regions.

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