India batter Shreyas Iyer has made a huge jump in the latest ICC men's T20I rankings after his stunning maiden century in the format helped India defeat the West Indies in the series opener in Lucknow. Iyer surged 18 places to No. 7, the highest ranking of his T20I career. He smashed an unbeaten 102 off just 43 balls, producing a match-winning innings that propelled India to victory. Iyer is now the third-highest-ranked Indian batter in the T20I rankings. Ishan Kishan continues to occupy the top spot after scoring an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls, while Abhishek Sharma remains at No. 2 following his quickfire 21 off 10 deliveries. Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan, England's Harry Brook and Jos Buttler, and South Africa's Dewald Brevis are positioned between the top two and Iyer. West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford was another notable mover. After scoring a 34-ball 56, Rutherford climbed 10 places from No. 47 to No. 37. Rashid Khan Regains No. 1 Spot There was also a change at the top of the T20I bowling rankings, with Afghanistan's Rashid Khan reclaiming the No. 1 position from Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed. Abrar, who finished with figures of 0 for 29 in the Asian Games semi-final and 1 for 29 in the final, slipped to second place. For Rashid, it marks the eighth occasion on which he has reached the summit of the T20I bowling rankings. The Afghanistan spinner has also spent more time at No. 1 than any other bowler in the history of the rankings. India all-rounder Axar Patel made a significant jump as well. After taking four wickets in two matches at the Asian Games and returning figures of 2 for 26 against West Indies, Axar climbed 16 places to reach No. 7. Bangladesh spinners Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan also moved up the rankings, with Nasum rising three places to No. 8 and Mahedi making a 10-place jump to No. 9. Shubman Gill Extends Lead in ODI Rankings In the ODI rankings, India's Shubman Gill strengthened his position at the top of the batters' table following his unbeaten 223 in the second ODI against West Indies. The double century, Gill's second in ODI cricket, helped him extend his lead over New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell to 47 rating points. Mitchell moved up to No. 2 after Virat Kohli slipped to third. Kohli had scored a century in the opening ODI but followed it with scores of 29 and a duck in the subsequent matches against West Indies. West Indies captain Shai Hope also made significant progress after his match-winning unbeaten 162 in the third ODI. The innings lifted him two places to No. 6. India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who scored a century in the same match, climbed seven places to break into the top 10 at No. 10, despite his innings coming in a losing cause. Among ODI bowlers, West Indies pacer Jayden Seales entered the top 10 after taking three wickets in the third ODI against India. He jumped 12 places to reach No. 10. The latest ICC rankings reflect a strong showing from Indian batters, with Iyer's breakthrough T20I century and Gill's commanding ODI performances driving major movement at the top of both charts.

Shreyas Iyer smashed his maiden T20I century as India cruised to a commanding victory over the West Indies, extending their winning streak in T20 internationals to 10 matches. Chasing 172, India overcame an early wobble to race home in just 14.4 overs. Iyer produced a breathtaking assault at the end of the innings, scoring 57 of his final 18 balls and finishing with a spectacular unbeaten hundred. The West Indies had posted 171 after half-centuries from Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. However, India's three-pronged spin attack played a decisive role, claiming eight wickets between them. Axar Patel set the tone during the powerplay with a double-wicket maiden. Kuldeep Yadav recovered from an expensive over to pick up two wickets, while T20I debutant Naman Dhir emerged as India's surprise hero. After being hit for a six, Dhir responded immediately with a wicket on three occasions, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 31. Hope and Rutherford revive West Indies After losing the toss, West Indies were sent in to bat, with Shai Hope once again opening the innings. Hope, who had enjoyed a prolific ODI series, continued his excellent form and raced to four boundaries against Mayank Yadav in the second over. Arshdeep Singh then began to pull things back with a series of yorkers. His persistence paid off when Kamil Pooran played on, giving India their first breakthrough. Axar Patel then produced a decisive fourth over. Shimron Hetmyer was run out after his bat bounced up during a dive, while Rovman Powell was bowled after failing to connect with a straight delivery. West Indies finished the powerplay at 44 for 3, leaving India firmly in control. However, Hope and Rutherford mounted a strong recovery. Rutherford attacked Kuldeep Yadav with two sixes, while West Indies collected 18 runs from Axar's 11th over. With India forced to turn to their fifth bowler, Naman Dhir stepped up. Hope struck him for a six early in the over, but Dhir responded by slowing the pace and having Hope caught at deep midwicket. Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer also fell to Dhir's variations as the debutant repeatedly responded to boundaries with wickets. West Indies, who had reached 100 for 3 after 11 overs, eventually finished on 171. India stumble before Iyer takes charge India's chase began aggressively but suffered an unexpected setback when openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were dismissed by the West Indies spinners. Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein extracted enough assistance from the pitch to trouble India's top order, reducing the hosts to 36 for 2 after four overs. But the West Indies could not maintain the pressure. Ishan Kishan attacked Chase, while Iyer took on Shamar Joseph with a series of boundaries. India reached 62 for 2 at the end of the powerplay and appeared to have regained control. At the halfway stage, Iyer was batting on 45 from 25 balls, with Kishan on 25 from 16. India needed 70 runs from the final 10 overs. Iyer unleashes brutal assault What followed was a remarkable display of power hitting. Iyer suddenly shifted gears, smashing six sixes in the next 18 balls he faced. He tore into Matthew Forde during the 14th over, collecting 24 runs from it as India's chase turned into a procession. Kishan played the supporting role brilliantly, rotating the strike and allowing Iyer to remain on the attack. The right-hander eventually brought up his maiden T20I century with a series of clean, flat sixes, completing a remarkable turnaround after India's early setbacks. Iyer's explosive innings ended the contest with India reaching the target in just 14.4 overs, underlining their dominance and extending their T20I winning streak to 10 matches. For West Indies, the performances of Hope and Rutherford offered plenty of encouragement, but their lack of bowling options on a challenging Lucknow surface ultimately proved costly.

India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against the West Indies in the opening T20I of the five-match series in Lucknow. It was Iyer’s 14th toss victory in 17 matches as India captain, while the West Indies were still waiting for their first toss win on their fourth international match of the tour. India made one significant change to their batting combination, opting for an extra specialist middle-order batter and leaving out young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The decision meant India moved away from the three-opener combination they had used during the Asian Games in Japan under stand-in coach VVS Laxman. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan retained their places alongside Abhishek Sharma, while Naman Dhir was handed another opportunity after making a strong impression on his ODI debut earlier in the tour. India went in with three specialist bowlers in Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav. The all-round options were Axar Patel, Shivam Dube and debutant Naman Dhir, giving the hosts additional depth in both batting and bowling. The West Indies, meanwhile, strengthened their T20 squad after losing the preceding ODI series 2-1. They handed a T20I debut to 30-year-old right-handed opener Kamil Pooran, who earned his place following a successful Caribbean Premier League campaign. The visitors opted for an additional seam-bowling option, with Shamar Joseph, Shamar Springer, Matthew Forde and Romario Shepherd included in the playing XI. Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase were the two specialist finger spinners. India Playing XI Abhishek Sharma Sanju Samson (wk) Ishan Kishan Shreyas Iyer (capt) Tilak Varma Shivam Dube Naman Dhir Axar Patel Kuldeep Yadav Mayank Yadav Arshdeep Singh West Indies Playing XI Shai Hope (capt & wk) Kamil Pooran Shimron Hetmyer Rovman Powell Sherfane Rutherford Romario Shepherd Roston Chase Matthew Forde Shamar Springer Akeal Hosein Shamar Joseph With India choosing to bowl first, the spotlight will be on the West Indies' revamped batting line-up and debutant Kamil Pooran, while the hosts will look to their pace attack and spin duo to make early inroads.

India’s bowling attack will face a fresh challenge when the five-match T20I series against West Indies begins on Tuesday, with Jasprit Bumrah absent and batting-friendly conditions expected to test the team’s young pace options. India bowling coach Morne Morkel believes the series will provide an important opportunity for fast bowlers Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav to continue developing as they gain experience at the international level. “They are both young and are still learning their trade,” Morkel said. “Sometimes the challenge is that you have them for a small window of time and then they go away. Although we keep in touch and stay connected, it is hard to keep your personal touch as a bowling coach on them.” Morkel added that the coaching staff would look to improve their work with the young pacers in the future. “I am excited to see how they go with this opportunity,” he said. Mayank looks to build on experience Tuesday will mark two years since Mayank Yadav made his India debut. However, injuries have restricted the express pacer to just five additional T20I appearances during that period. After returning from injury, Mayank showed encouraging signs during India’s T20I series in Zimbabwe earlier this year. Besides his raw pace, the 22-year-old has also worked on developing a slower delivery to add another dimension to his bowling. His variations were evident during the IPL, where he used a slower ball to outfox experienced batter Rohit Sharma. Morkel said Mayank’s ability to overcome setbacks and return to the international setup highlighted his attitude. “When you look at Mayank, immediately what comes to mind is his pace, his X-factor,” Morkel said. “For a young player to get through that and then again find himself in a situation to play for India just shows attitude.” Prince Yadav's rapid rise Prince Yadav has enjoyed a much quicker rise into the Indian team following an impressive IPL 2026 campaign. The young seamer impressed with his ability to swing the ball both ways, bowl effective short deliveries and consistently land yorkers. His dismissal of Virat Kohli during the IPL further underlined his ability to challenge top-class batters. Prince has since made six T20I and three ODI appearances for India. Morkel, however, admitted that the coaching staff has not had enough continuous time with either young bowler because of India's busy international schedule and split tours. “For me, Prince was a net bowler in the IPL a couple of years ago and is now playing for India,” Morkel said. “At the end of the day, you want guys in a squad or playing for India who have fantastic attitudes, who are keen to keep working hard, because those guys will deliver for the team.” Dube and Reddy provide extra bowling options India are also exploring additional four-over bowling options, with Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy among the players who could be called upon to contribute with the ball. Morkel said conditions at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, where the boundaries are relatively large, could increase the value of part-time seamers. “You never know, in certain conditions, the ball might grip a little bit more and it might suit one guy, and then they will become four-over bowlers,” Morkel said. He added that the team would assess pitch behaviour and boundary dimensions before deciding how to use its bowling resources. “We have got a luxury here that it is quite a big field, so these guys come into the conversation a lot more,” he said. Samson or Sooryavanshi to open? India also face a selection decision at the top of the batting order, with Sanju Samson and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi competing to partner Abhishek Sharma. Sooryavanshi opened during India’s recent tours of the UK and the Asian Games, while Samson was used as an opener during the T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi and the one-off match against Japan. Morkel suggested India could rotate the two players during the series. “I am pretty sure Gautam will look to rotate them,” he said, referring to head coach Gautam Gambhir. “The guys just came back from the Asian Games, so we want to see how everybody is feeling after jet lag, after travelling, and then from there make the plan.” Morkel urges Sooryavanshi to learn from senior players Even if Sooryavanshi does not feature in the opening game, Morkel believes the youngster can benefit enormously simply by being around India's experienced players. “If he is not getting that game time, he is still on a bus, in the dugout, in the hotel with guys with a lot of experience,” Morkel said. The bowling coach said he regularly encourages young players to closely observe how senior batters prepare and approach different situations. “I always challenge him. I say, ‘Watch what this guy is doing in training. How does he face his first 15 balls when the wicket is tough? What sort of game plan has he come up with?’” Morkel said learning from the dressing room environment can be just as valuable as playing matches. “For any young player, if he gets game time or if that game time is a little bit limited, it is still our job to make sure that these guys learn, they grow and they ask questions,” he said. He also revealed that he asks Sooryavanshi to reflect on what he has learned after training sessions. “I always ask him on the bus, ‘What is the one thing you have learned today? Tell me what you think about that guy’s batting.’ That makes him think, and I think next time he comes to the nets, the sort of things he will observe, he will adapt to his game.” India eye fifth straight win in Lucknow Sooryavanshi, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy were the only players who took part in India’s optional training session on Monday. India have an unbeaten T20I record at the Ekana Stadium and will look to make it five consecutive wins at the venue when they take on West Indies in the series opener on Tuesday.

India will look to continue their strong run in T20 cricket when they take on West Indies in the opening match of the five-game T20I series in Lucknow. The hosts enter the series with plenty of confidence after winning gold at the Asian Games in Japan, while West Indies will be hoping to carry the momentum from their impressive performance in the third ODI. The first T20I is also expected to provide India with an opportunity to settle their combination at the top of the batting order, with the availability of young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi adding an interesting selection dilemma. India face a selection call at the top India's Asian Games campaign saw Abhishek Sharma and Sooryavanshi open the innings, with Sanju Samson batting at No. 3. However, the management could revert to a more familiar combination against West Indies, with Ishan Kishan likely to slot in at No. 3. Samson endured a below-par campaign in Japan but is expected to retain his place following consecutive half-centuries in the T20I series against Afghanistan. Abhishek Sharma is also expected to be a certain starter, leaving Sooryavanshi potentially waiting for his opportunity. The middle order is likely to feature established names such as captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the series, Arshdeep Singh is expected to lead the pace attack. Axar Patel, Dube and Reddy provide India with additional all-round options. Another selection battle could be between Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, both of whom have Lucknow as their IPL home venue. Kuldeep Yadav is also in contention after Ravi Bishnoi's indifferent outing at the Asian Games. India's probable XI Abhishek Sharma Sanju Samson Ishan Kishan (wk) Shreyas Iyer (capt) Tilak Varma Shivam Dube Nitish Kumar Reddy Axar Patel Kuldeep Yadav Mayank Yadav/Prince Yadav Arshdeep Singh West Indies hope for a fresh start West Indies will enter the T20I series with several powerful additions to their squad, including Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd. The visitors will be keen to build on the confidence gained from their victory in the third ODI and challenge India over the next two weeks. However, West Indies have struggled in T20Is in India. They have won only one of their last 10 T20Is in the country, with their most recent victory coming in 2019. The fitness of captain Shai Hope will be closely monitored. Hope was seen cramping during the third ODI and missed training on the eve of the T20I. He is nevertheless expected to be fit enough to play. West Indies have also added Amir Jangoo as cover for Jewel Andrew, who suffered a finger injury during the third ODI. If Andrew is unable to recover in time, Kamil Pooran could make his T20I debut after an outstanding CPL season. Shamar Joseph is expected to lead the pace attack, with Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde and Shamar Springer providing further options. West Indies' probable XI Shai Hope (capt, wk) Kamil Pooran Shimron Hetmyer Rovman Powell Sherfane Rutherford Romario Shepherd Shamar Springer Akeal Hosein Gudakesh Motie Shamar Joseph Matthew Forde Ishan Kishan and Hetmyer in the spotlight Ishan Kishan has emerged as one of India's most consistent T20I batters since returning to the national side. He is the leading run-scorer in men's T20Is in 2026, with 1,005 runs in 29 matches at an average of 37.22 and a strike rate of 169.47. His record at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium makes him an even bigger threat. Kishan has scored three fifties and a century in nine T20 innings at the venue, averaging 66.57. For West Indies, much of the attention will be on Shimron Hetmyer. The left-hander enjoyed an outstanding CPL 2026 campaign, scoring 367 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 197.31. After being given an extended recovery period following the CPL, Hetmyer returns to international cricket refreshed and will be eager to make an immediate impact. Pitch and conditions The match will be played on Pitch No. 5, the centre strip at the Ekana Stadium. The surface is a mix of red and black soil. Runs came freely at the venue during IPL 2026, and another high-scoring contest could be on the cards. Rain around Lucknow affected both teams' practice sessions on Monday, but there is no rain forecast for match day. Key numbers Akeal Hosein is set to become only the fourth West Indies player to play 100 T20Is. Ishan Kishan is the only batter in the world to have scored more than 1,000 runs in T20Is in 2026. India have won 20 of their 31 T20Is against West Indies. India are unbeaten in T20Is at the Ekana Stadium. With India arriving on the back of a successful Asian Games campaign and West Indies bolstered by several dangerous T20 specialists, the opening match promises an intriguing contest. For India, the biggest question will be how they accommodate their wealth of batting options, while West Indies will first hope their captain is fit enough to lead the charge.

West Indies have added wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo to their squad as cover for the injured Jewel Andrew ahead of their five-match T20I series against India. Andrew suffered a finger injury during the third ODI against India in New Chandigarh on Saturday. However, the 19-year-old has not been ruled out of the T20I series and remains under observation by the West Indies medical team. Andrew injured his finger while taking a catch to dismiss Naman Dhir at cover. He was subsequently taken to hospital for scans, which fortunately revealed no fracture. The young wicketkeeper did not bat during West Indies' successful chase in the third ODI. Andrew had been dismissed for a first-ball duck in the opening ODI and was left out of the second match before returning to the playing XI for the series finale. Jangoo returns to West Indies T20I setup Jangoo, 29, has been brought in as cover despite being considered more of a long-format specialist. He has played seven T20Is for West Indies since making his international debut in December 2024, scoring 163 runs at a strike rate of 120.74. His overall T20 record has been less impressive, with 163 runs in 34 matches coming at a strike rate of 104.25. However, Jangoo played an important role in the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' successful CPL 2026 campaign. He scored 213 runs during the tournament and produced his most significant contribution in the final, smashing an unbeaten 57 off 34 balls, including four fours and three sixes. His innings helped the Falcons defeat Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets and claim the CPL title. Jangoo enjoyed strong ODI series against India Jangoo enters the T20I series in excellent form after a productive ODI campaign against India. He scored 58 not out, 114 and 67 across the three matches to finish with 239 runs, making him the third-highest run-scorer of the series. Only India's Shubman Gill, with 334 runs, and West Indies captain Shai Hope, with 278 runs, scored more runs than Jangoo. The five-match T20I series will begin in Lucknow on Tuesday, before moving to Ranchi on October 9, Indore on October 11, Hyderabad on October 14 and Bengaluru on October 17. India vs West Indies T20I schedule 1st T20I: Lucknow — October 6 2nd T20I: Ranchi — October 9 3rd T20I: Indore — October 11 4th T20I: Hyderabad — October 14 5th T20I: Bengaluru — October 17

India overcame a dramatic early collapse to post a formidable 351 for 7 against West Indies, with KL Rahul producing a brilliant unbeaten century after Jayden Seales reduced the hosts to 4 for 2. Rahul finished on 129 not out, his ninth ODI hundred and his highest score in the format, while Rohit Sharma contributed a composed 92. Ruturaj Gaikwad added a fortunate 57 as India recovered from a disastrous start to build a strong total. West Indies had made the perfect beginning after Seales dismissed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in quick succession. Gill gloved a delivery down the leg side before Kohli missed a straight ball to depart for a golden duck. The early wickets left India struggling at 4 for 2, and they endured their longest wait for a first boundary in four years. Rohit, however, responded with the experience that has defined his ODI career. After scoring just 21 from his first 43 deliveries, he began to attack in the 17th over. A pulled six and a cover-driven four off Alzarri Joseph changed the momentum of the innings and pushed India's run rate beyond four an over for the first time. West Indies' fielding also let them down badly, with at least six catches going down, including four chances involving Gaikwad. Several errors in the field and inconsistent bowling allowed India to rebuild. Rohit eventually accelerated to 92 before falling to Keemo Paul, bringing Rahul to the crease in the 25th over. Rahul initially took his time, scoring only eight runs from his first 14 balls. But once the West Indies bowlers began missing their lengths, he shifted gears. He took advantage of loose deliveries from Vitel Lawes and steadily built another crucial partnership. Gaikwad eventually fell for 57, caught at point off Seales, who finally earned the rewards for an impressive spell. Naman Dhir then threatened to take the game away from West Indies with a brisk 30 from 21 balls before being caught at extra cover. Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled to find his rhythm and edged Paul through to the wicketkeeper, leaving India at 250 for 6 with nine overs remaining. That brought debutant Anshul Kamboj to the crease. The No. 8 showed exactly the kind of power India were looking for, striking two sixes after Gudakesh Motie dropped short twice in the 44th over. Kamboj's aggressive cameo provided Rahul with valuable support before he was dismissed. Gurnoor Brar then played a useful supporting role, rotating the strike and allowing Rahul to remain at the crease. The final phase belonged entirely to Rahul. He manipulated the field intelligently, picked up boundaries with remarkable efficiency and punished even the slightest errors in the West Indies bowling. Rather than aggressively farming the strike, Rahul repeatedly chose to remain at the non-striker's end when an extra run was available, ensuring he faced the deliveries he wanted. His clean ball-striking made the final overs increasingly difficult for the West Indies bowlers. With West Indies also suffering from a slow over rate, India had an additional fielder inside the circle for the final three overs. Rahul took full advantage, smashing 50 runs from those last three overs as India surged to 351 for 7. Seales finished with figures of 3 for 62, while Joseph was economical early on, taking 4-1-15-0 in his opening spell. After being reduced to 4 for 2, India had not only recovered but produced a total that put them in a commanding position, led by Rahul's superb unbeaten 129.

India have made several changes to their playing XI for the third and final ODI against the West Indies, handing a debut to fast-bowling all-rounder Anshul Kamboj after he was called up as an injury replacement. Kamboj comes into the XI at No. 8, replacing Auqib Nabi. His inclusion suggests that the Indian team management sees him as a player capable of contributing with the bat if required. However, Kamboj has not directly replaced injured pacer Prasidh Krishna. Instead, Mohammed Siraj returns to the XI after sitting out the first two matches. India have also made a notable change in the middle order, with Nitish Kumar Reddy replacing Ravindra Jadeja. It is an unusual combination for India, who rarely play without either Jadeja or Axar Patel. The last time both all-rounders were absent from India's final XI in an ODI, apart from the Afghanistan series, was in January 2023. Having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, India opted to bat first after winning the toss. They had chased successfully in the opening two games. The West Indies, meanwhile, were happy to chase. The visitors have struggled when batting first, having lost their last seven matches in that situation. They made three changes to their XI, bringing in Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie. Keacy Carty, Roston Chase and Shamar Joseph were left out, with the changes giving West Indies two frontline spin options in Motie and another part-time spin option in their bowling attack. The match is also significant as it is the first men's ODI to be played in New Chandigarh. India XI Rohit Sharma Shubman Gill (captain) Virat Kohli Ruturaj Gaikwad KL Rahul (wicketkeeper) Naman Dhir Nitish Kumar Reddy Anshul Kamboj Kuldeep Yadav Gurnoor Brar Mohammed Siraj West Indies XI John Campbell Jewel Andrew Shai Hope (captain & wicketkeeper) Amir Jangoo Sherfane Rutherford Keemo Paul Matthew Forde Gudakesh Motie Alzarri Joseph Jayden Seales Vitel Lawes With the series already decided, the third ODI provides India with an opportunity to test their bench strength, while Kamboj's debut will be one of the key talking points as the young all-rounder begins his international career.

India have suffered a setback ahead of the third and final ODI against the West Indies, with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury during the second match in Guwahati. Young all-rounder Anshul Kamboj has been named as his replacement for the series finale. Prasidh bowled only five overs in the second ODI, conceding 45 runs and taking the wicket of Keacy Carty. He left the field during the 31st over of the West Indies innings after experiencing discomfort. The injury could also put Prasidh's participation in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy, beginning October 11, in doubt. The fast bowler has reportedly returned to Bengaluru to begin his recovery. The second ODI in Guwahati turned into a high-scoring contest, with the West Indies posting a massive 405 for 7 in 50 overs. India, however, chased down the target comfortably, reaching the total in just 43.3 overs. The pitch used for the match drew considerable criticism. Meanwhile, Kamboj has been released from the ongoing India A vs Australia A four-day match in Puducherry to join the senior national team in New Chandigarh. Kamboj has impressed in domestic cricket and has taken 56 wickets in 35 List A matches at an average of 22.41. Although he is yet to make his ODI debut, he has already represented India in Test cricket, making his debut during India's tour of England last year. The 24-year-old had also made an impact in the ongoing India A series against Australia A. He claimed three wickets in the first four-day match and followed it up with another three-wicket haul in Australia's first innings in the second game. He subsequently left the India A squad after bowling just two overs in Australia's second innings. India have been managing their resources carefully amid a congested international schedule, with several senior players involved in different competitions and teams. Jasprit Bumrah, for instance, is currently in Japan for the Asian Games. With Prasidh unavailable, India's ODI squad for the final match against the West Indies includes Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj among the pace-bowling options. Kamboj's inclusion gives India another opportunity to assess a promising domestic performer as they look to complete the ODI series against the West Indies.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has called for more balanced ODI pitches after India completed a record 406-run chase against the West Indies in the second ODI in Guwahati, arguing that bowlers need more assistance to remain competitive. India successfully chased down West Indies’ imposing total of 405, producing a high-scoring contest that thrilled spectators but raised concerns for Gambhir about the lack of assistance for bowlers. Speaking to Star Sports after the match, Gambhir said there needed to be a greater contest between bat and ball. “There has to be a bit more contest between bat and ball. You talk about cricket, but this is not cricket, this is only batting,” Gambhir said. He acknowledged that the record-breaking performances were impressive for the players, spectators and broadcasters, but said the conditions were particularly challenging for young bowlers. “For the records, it’s outstanding; for the crowd, it’s outstanding; for the broadcaster, it’s outstanding. But if you ask me as a genuine cricket fan and as a coach, I have to have sympathy for the bowlers as well,” he said. Gambhir added that pitches offering so little assistance made it difficult for bowlers to have a meaningful impact. “When you bowl on this kind of a wicket, it’s not fair for the bowlers. So we’ve got to give something to the bowlers so there’s at least something which the bowlers can work with,” he said. Gambhir urges patience with bowlers The India coach also stressed that bowlers should not be judged solely by their figures when playing on extremely batter-friendly pitches. According to Gambhir, coaches and support staff should focus more on whether bowlers executed their plans effectively rather than simply looking at the runs they conceded. “Often you can’t be hard on bowlers, because sometimes bowling figures are such that they haven’t bowled as poorly as their figures suggest,” he said. Gambhir pointed to the restrictions imposed on modern ODI bowlers, including fielding limitations, two new balls and the increased power of batters. “That is why, as a coach, as a support staff, the first thing you look at is, were they able to execute their bowling or their plans properly? If they were able to do that, then you shouldn’t be hard on them,” he said. He also called for patience with young players, highlighting the debut of Auqib Nabi. “Imagine Auqib playing his first game. Somewhere you need to give them a bit of support and keep a bit of an extra cushion or extra options for them. But unfortunately, today there wasn’t much for any bowler,” Gambhir said. India have limited time to prepare for 2027 World Cup With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, Gambhir said India have less time than it might appear to finalise their squad and assess different options. Although roughly a year remains before the tournament, Gambhir pointed out that the IPL and the India-Australia series will take up a significant portion of that period. “So after this series, we have barely 20 ODIs, and 20 ODIs aren’t really that many ODIs,” he said, noting that the schedule also includes three ODIs each against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Gambhir said India would use the upcoming matches to test different players and combinations. “Right now is the time for us to try different options. Just like Auqib got an opportunity today, we will similarly try, at least until the Zimbabwe series, to give other people an opportunity and see what they can offer us in this format,” he said. Gambhir wants young bowlers tested under pressure Gambhir also explained why India chose to give Nabi his debut while the series was still on the line rather than waiting for a dead rubber. He said young players need exposure to pressure situations similar to those they will encounter at a World Cup. “We could have given Auqib a chance in the next match too when it’s a dead rubber, but in a dead rubber, you don’t have that pressure which comes with the pressure of winning a series,” Gambhir said. He made a similar point about young pacer Gurnoor Brar, saying exposure to difficult situations would ultimately help his development. “Having Gurnoor bowl in the first 10 overs, bowling at the death, I know people will talk about his analysis, but the more he bowls in tough conditions, in tough situations, the better it is for Indian cricket,” Gambhir said. Gambhir added that protecting young bowlers by using them only in favourable situations could produce better statistics but would not necessarily prepare them for the demands of major tournaments. “The more we expose them at such times, the better it is for Indian cricket,” he said.

West Indies have suffered a major setback ahead of the second ODI against India, with opener Justin Greaves ruled out of the match in Guwahati due to a calf injury. The opener is also doubtful for the third and final ODI, scheduled to be played on October 3 in New Chandigarh. Greaves sustained the injury during the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram. The West Indies opener appeared to struggle with his movement early in the innings and was seen limping on several occasions while receiving treatment from the team physiotherapist. Despite the discomfort, Greaves battled through the injury to register his maiden ODI century, scoring 101 runs off 108 deliveries. His innings eventually ended when he was dismissed lbw by India's left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Greaves did not take the field during India's run chase in the second innings. His absence is a significant blow for West Indies, who trail India 1-0 in the three-match ODI series. Greaves has been one of the team's most productive ODI batters since the start of 2025, scoring 528 runs in 19 innings, making him West Indies' third-highest run-scorer in the format during that period. He has also contributed with the ball, taking seven wickets with his medium pace. With Greaves unavailable, Jewel Andrew could be promoted to open alongside John Campbell. Sherfane Rutherford, who missed the first ODI due to personal reasons, is expected to return and strengthen the middle order. West Indies lost the opening match by eight wickets after posting 295 for 7 in their 50 overs. India chased down the target comfortably in just 41.4 overs. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati on Wednesday, followed by the third ODI in New Chandigarh on October 3. The teams will then face each other in a five-match T20I series beginning October 6. Greaves is not part of West Indies' T20I squad.