Last Updated on 12 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
A mere three days after picking up the Gold Medal at the Asian Games, India’s T20I side is back in action against a West Indies team with plenty to look forward to.
After a difficult tour of the UK earlier this year, India sealed convincing wins over Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. However, the Windies are expected to test them a little more across these five T20Is, with Shai Hope’s team capable of putting on big scores.
However, can the Windies’ bowlers stem the flow of run-scoring? The Indian top order, particularly Abhishek Sharma, has been in devastating form throughout the calendar year, so early wickets will be vital in halting the momentum.
In this article, we will look at the possible XIs, Lucknow pitch report, key stats and fantasy cricket tips for the opening match of the India-West Indies T20I series.
Want an edge for today’s Dream11 contest? SPODA AI’s model has already highlighted the key upside picks for this match.
Get 3 FREE MATCH PASSES to see them. You can sign up below.
IND vs WI 1st T20 2026 Possible Playing XIs: Will Shai Hope be fit for this match?
As often the case following the rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India have a decision to make regarding their openers. Sanju Samson, who hit two fifties against Afghanistan recently, is likely to start.
India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Sanju Samson, 3. Ishan Kishan (wk), 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Mayank Yadav/Prince Yadav, 11. Arshdeep Singh
According to Cricinfo, Shai Hope is expected to play after cramping up in the third ODI.
30-year-old Kamil Pooran could make his debut after impressing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The right-hander scored 273 runs in eight matches at an average of 39.00 and strike rate of 159.64.
West Indies: 1 Shai Hope (c & wk), 2. Kamil Pooran, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Roston Chase, 5. Rovman Powell, 6. Sherfane Rutherford, 7. Romario Shepherd, 8. Keemo Paul, 9. Akeal Hosein, 10. Shamar Joseph, 11. Matthew Forde
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow Pitch Report and Weather
The average first innings score in T20s at Lucknow this year is 173. Chasing teams have won 57% of the matches.
In the first-half of IPL 2026, seamers had a say with movement on offer. The surfaces then became more batting-friendly as the tournament went on.
However, there could be some movement upfront given there has been rain around in recent days. Conditions are expected to be fine during the match hours, and batting second will be the way to go.
IND vs WI 1st T20 Fantasy Cricket Tips: CPL stars to deliver in Lucknow?
Top wicket-keeper picks:
- Shai Hope is in superb form. The Windies captain hit consecutive hundreds in the ODI series, including 162* in the last match.
- Sanju Samson hit a matchwinning 97* against West Indies in a crucial game during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- Ishan Kishan averages just 17.85 in seven T20Is against West Indies, with no fifty. But, he has been outstanding in all T20s this year, hitting 1,607 runs at an average of 38.3 and strike rate of 174.1.
Key batter picks:
- Abhishek Sharma is fresh off 61 off 28 balls against Pakistan in the Asian Games Final. He also smashed 108 off just 34 balls against Afghanistan on September 17.
- Shimron Hetmyer had a superb CPL 2026 campaign. The left-hander smashed 367 runs at an average of 45.87 and strike rate of 197.31.
Top all-rounder picks:
- Axar Patel is a popular Dream11 pick (75%) and will be key against the Windies right-handers. Hope and K Pooran strike at 118.73 and 122.07 respectively against spin in 2026. Axar takes a wicket every 18 deliveries against the Windies and can be promoted up the batting order.
- Romario Shepherd and Roston Chase are expected to bowl a few overs and can swing the willow down the order. Their all-round value makes them handy fantasy picks.
Key bowler picks:
- Kuldeep Yadav has the most wickets in IND-WI T20Is (13) at an average of 13.41 and economy of 6.33.
- Arshdeep Singh bowls in the crunch death overs, which can bring about wicket-taking opportunities. He took five wickets in two matches against Afghanistan last month, and has 14 wickets against West Indies (avg. 22.28, econ. 8.17).
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
- Shreyas Iyer.
- Rovman Powell.
- Sherfane Rutherford.
- Akeal Hosein.
- Shivam Dube.
- Matthew Forde.
Other Stats and Important Matchups
- Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 31, India 20, West Indies 10, N/R 1.
- West Indies have lost nine of their past 10 T20Is against India in India.
- Akeal Hosein concedes just 6.73 per over in 12 T20Is against India.
- Kuldeep Yadav vs. Shimron Hetmyer in all T20s: 33 balls, 40 runs, one wicket.
- Arshdeep Singh vs. Shimron Hetmyer in all T20s: 56 balls, 87 runs, three wickets.
- Akeal Hosein vs. Sanju Samson in all T20s: 11 balls, 20 runs, one wicket.
- Axar Patel vs. Shai Hope in all T20s: 25 balls, 36 runs, no wickets.
Want a sharper edge on Dream11? SPODA AI gives you data‑backed player insights, captaincy recommendations, and match‑specific predictions to help you build winning teams.
Sign up and get 3 FREE match passes to test it for your next Dream11 contests.
IND vs WI 1st T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction: Top order batters to perform better when chasing?
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Affiliate disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, which means CricBlog will earn a commission if you make a deposit or purchase through them. These partnerships help support the work that goes into creating this content, but they never influence analysis, recommendations, or editorial independence. CricBlog only promotes brands and products that are safe to use with customer support available. Read our Editorial Policy for more information.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.
