Last Updated on 57 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
“If it’s your day, make sure that you win the match for the team. And today it was me,” said Shreyas Iyer after his unbeaten 102 led India to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over West Indies in the first T20I on Tuesday.
Shreyas and India will be looking for more of the same as the series moves to Ranchi. After a tough tour of the UK earlier this year, India have since won 10 T20Is in a row, and the batting is looking very dangerous especially at home.
The West Indies would have been thrilled to dismiss Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma within the powerplay in Lucknow, but that is where their joy ended. Striking in the middle overs also holds such importance, but that is much easier said than done against an Indian side in their home conditions.
The visitors have work to do with the bat, too. Two quick wickets at the end of the powerplay and then five quick wickets in the middle overs halted any momentum that they were building, especially during the partnership between Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford.
IND vs WI 2nd T20 2026 Possible Playing XIs: Prince Yadav to replace Mayank Yadav?
Prince Yadav could replace Mayank Yadav. The latter went for 40 off his four overs in Lucknow.
India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Sanju Samson (wk), 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Naman Dhir, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Prince Yadav, 11. Arshdeep Singh
West Indies could give the same XI another chance in this match.
West Indies: 1. Shai Hope (c & wk), 2. Kamil Pooran, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Rovman Powell, 5. Sherfane Rutherford, 6. Romario Shepherd, 7. Roston Chase, 8. Shamar Springer, 9. Akeal Hosein, 10. Shamar Joseph, 11. Matthew Forde
JSCA International Stadium Complex Ranchi Pitch Report and Weather
200 has been scored just once in 10 night T20s at Ranchi. In the last T20I – back in 2023 – New Zealand defended 176 against India. However, expect the captain who wins the toss to chase.
A top temperature of 27 degrees is forecast. Conditions should be clear, which may result in dew.
IND vs WI 2nd T20 2026 Fantasy Cricket Tips: India’s top order to deliver again?
Top wicket-keeper picks:
- Shai Hope hit two centuries in the ODI series, followed by a half-century in the opening T20I. It was his first 50 against India in T20Is – can he build on it here?
- Sanju Samson missed out in the first T20I, but has good memories against the West Indies. He hit 97* against them in the World Cup earlier in 2026.
- Ishan Kishan had some luck with a third umpire call going his way in Lucknow. He also played second fiddle to Shreyas with 37 off 27 balls. But he can go big at anytime, with excellent numbers in all T20s this year: 1,644 runs, avg. 39.1, SR 173.1.
Key batter picks:
- Abhishek Sharma showed signs of his best, hitting 21 off his first nine balls in Lucknow. In all T20Is this year, the opener has hammered 1,395 runs at an average of 32.4 and strike rate of 205.4.
- Shreyas Iyer is fresh off a superb hundred a few nights ago. He is a genuine captaincy option in Dream11, but that comes with some risk given the top three are good enough to bat for a high proportion of the innings.
- Sherfane Rutherford looked in good form in the first T20I, and is a key spin-hitter for the Windies. Shimron Hetmyer was run out cheaply, and is coming off an excellent CPL campaign: 367 runs at an average of 45.87 and strike rate of 197.31.
Top all-rounder picks:
- Axar Patel continues to impress. He will be tasked with powerplay bowling again as his numbers between overs 1-6 are so good since the T20 World Cup: 15 overs, 8 wickets, econ. 4.71.
- Picking at least one of Romario Shepherd and Roston Chase can be a good move in fantasy cricket. Both will likely bowl a few overs and can swing the willow down the order.
Key bowler picks:
- Kuldeep Yadav (2/32 in the first T20I) has 19 wickets in 10 matches against the West Indies.
- Arshdeep Singh (1/34 in the first T20I) is not far behind with 15 scalps in 12 matches.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
- Naman Dhir.
- Akeal Hosein.
- Prince Yadav.
- Rovman Powell.
Other Stats and Important Matchups
- Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 32, India 21, West Indies 10, N/R 1.
- West Indies have lost 10 of their past 11 T20Is against India in India.
- Akeal Hosein vs. Sanju Samson in all T20s: 17 balls, 26 runs, two wickets.
- 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.
- Axar Patel vs. Shai Hope in all T20s: 32 balls, 43 runs, no wickets.
IND vs WI 2nd T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction: Pick at least four batters?
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:
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.
