By Tanzeel Ul Rehman | October 12, 2026
India beat West Indies by 14 runs in the 3rd T20I in Indore on October 11 to take a 2 to 1 lead in the five match series. India were bowled out for 223 off the last ball after Abhishek Sharma smashed 69 off 30. West Indies finished on 209 for 7, with Arshdeep Singh taking 3 for 44 and a double strike in the 18th over that ended the chase.
Two days after conceding 250 in Ranchi, India defended a smaller total on a smaller ground. This report explains how they did it, why a total of 223 could easily have been 260, how the game was decided in the first six overs of each innings, and what the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I result means before the 4th T20I in Hyderabad.
India vs West Indies 3rd T20I Result at a Glance
| India | West Indies | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 223 all out (20 overs) | 209/7 (20 overs) |
| Top scorers | Abhishek Sharma 69 (30), Ishan Kishan 37 (18), Tilak Varma 28 (16) | Shimron Hetmyer 43 (26), Kamil Pooran 42 (27), Shamar Springer 35* (11) |
| Best bowling | Arshdeep Singh 3/44, Naman Dhir 2/39 | Roston Chase, Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph, 2 wickets each |
| Result | India won by 14 runs |
Toss: West Indies won and chose to bowl. Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Player of the Match: Arshdeep Singh. Series: India lead 2 to 1 with two matches left.
The full scorecard is on the ESPNcricinfo match report. What the scorecard does not show is how strange India’s innings was, and how close West Indies came to a second straight big chase.
How Did India Win the 3rd T20I Against West Indies?
The India vs West Indies 3rd T20I was won in three moments, and two of them came with the ball.
Moment 1: The powerplay gap. India reached 87 for 1 after six overs. West Indies reached 54 for 1. That is a gap of 33 runs, more than double the final margin. Everything West Indies did later was an attempt to close a gap they created in the first 36 balls of their chase.
Moment 2: Arshdeep’s first over. In Ranchi, Shai Hope batted through the chase and made 102 not out. In Indore, Arshdeep bowled him for 5 in the second over. With their captain gone, West Indies lost the batter who had been their anchor all tour.
Moment 3: The 18th over. West Indies still had hope late on. Sherfane Rutherford and the lower order were swinging hard, and Indore’s short boundaries make any target feel possible. Arshdeep then bowled Rutherford with a yorker and removed Keemo Paul in the same over. Shamar Springer hit 35 off 11 balls at the end, but by then the required rate was too high even for him.
Why do these three moments matter more than the batting? Because they show how India fixed the problem from Ranchi. Two days earlier, West Indies scored 41 runs in the 17th and 18th overs combined. This time, the 18th over cost them two wickets. Death bowling decided both matches, just in opposite directions.
How Did India Go From 115 for 1 to 223 All Out?
This is the most unusual part of the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I result. India scored 223, a big total in most grounds, but it still felt like a missed chance.
| Phase | Score | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Overs 1 to 7 | 7/1 to 115/1 | Samson out for 3, then Abhishek and Kishan added 108 off 40 balls |
| The 10 ball slide | 115/1 to 124/4 | Abhishek, Kishan and Iyer fell for 9 runs |
| Overs 11 to 17 | 124/4 to 196/7 | Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Tilak Varma (run out) went |
| Overs 18 to 20 | 196/7 to 223 all out | Axar Patel run out, last wicket on the final ball |
The start was brilliant. Sanju Samson was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 3 with the score on 7. After that, Abhishek and Ishan Kishan scored at more than 16 an over. Their stand of 108 off 40 balls was the fastest century partnership India have ever had in a T20I.
Then came the slide. Abhishek top edged a pull back to Springer, who took a return catch. Roston Chase had Kishan stumped by Hope for 37, and three balls later trapped Shreyas Iyer LBW for 1. India lost three wickets in ten balls.
The ending was messy. Tilak Varma was run out after a mix up, and Axar Patel was also run out. Mayank Yadav fell to the last ball of the innings. Two run outs in a T20 innings usually means the batters were chasing a score in their heads, not playing the ball.
Our view: at 115 for 1 after about seven overs, 260 was realistic. India lost about 35 to 40 runs through poor decisions. It did not cost them this time, but it would have on a flatter pitch or a dewier night.
Why Was Abhishek Sharma’s 69 So Important?
Abhishek Sharma’s 69 off 30 balls was the innings that built India’s cushion. He reached fifty in 18 balls, during the third over of the match. That was the third fastest T20I fifty against West Indies.
It also brought a milestone. Abhishek became the fastest batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs by balls faced, needing only 1,024 balls. To put that in plain terms, he scores almost two runs for every ball he faces over his whole career. No batter has reached that mark faster.
He has a clear scoring zone. Over half of his runs in this innings came in the arc between third man and extra cover. Most power hitters score on the leg side. Abhishek uses the off side, which makes it hard for bowlers to set a field. If you bowl wide, he cuts. If you bowl full, he drives.
Why it matters for the series: After 20 in Ranchi and 21 in Lucknow, Abhishek had made bright starts without going on. This innings was the first time he turned a start into a match winning score in this series. He now has seven scores of 50 or more inside the powerplay, the most by an Indian in T20Is.
The one criticism: He got out to a short ball with India well set. Had he batted three more overs, India’s total could have been 30 runs higher. That is the next step for him as a T20 opener: staying in once the hard work is done.
Arshdeep Singh 3 for 44: Why the Player of the Match Award Was Right
On a ground where 432 runs were scored, Arshdeep’s figures of 3 for 44 do not look special at first glance. They look much better when you see which wickets he took.
The three wickets were Hope, Rutherford and Paul. Hope was the top scorer of the series, with 102 not out in the previous game. Rutherford had scored 56 in Lucknow and 84 in Ranchi. These were the two batters who had beaten India’s attack all week. Arshdeep removed both of them, and both were bowled.
He also took a catch. Kamil Pooran hit Naman Dhir for three sixes in the 11th over and looked like changing the game. Arshdeep then caught him in the deep off Dhir. So he was involved in four of the seven wickets.
What made him different from Ranchi? In the 2nd T20I, India’s bowlers struggled to land yorkers with a wet ball. Arshdeep’s yorker to Rutherford was exactly the ball India could not find two days earlier. It is the skill that separates a death bowler from a medium pacer.
A comparison worth making: Arshdeep is a left arm seamer, and India’s other quick options in this series, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, are right armers. The change of angle at the death made it harder for West Indies’ hitters to line him up. This is one reason we think Arshdeep should play every remaining match.
What Went Wrong for West Indies in the 3rd T20I?
West Indies did a lot right. They bowled India out, took two wickets each for three bowlers, and still lost by only 14 runs. So where did it slip?
1. Losing Hope early. Their captain was out for 5 in the second over. In the two matches this series where Hope fell before scoring big, West Indies lost both. When he made a hundred, they chased 250. That pattern is now very clear.
2. A slow powerplay. West Indies scored 54 for 1 in six overs, while India had made 87 for 1. Shimron Hetmyer scored 43 off 26 balls, but his fast start came after the powerplay pressure had already been built.
3. Wickets at the wrong time. Hetmyer was bowled by Dhir in the 7th over. Rovman Powell fell to Axar Patel for 5 in the 10th over. Pooran went in the 11th. At 105 for 4 after 11 overs, they needed 119 more from 54 balls, a rate of over 13 an over.
4. One thing that went right: their fielding at the end of India’s innings. West Indies fielded well in the final overs, effecting two run outs and taking key catches. If they can match that in Hyderabad, the series is still alive.
One lesser known fact: Hetmyer’s runs took him to 614 T20I runs in 2026, the most by a West Indies batter in a calendar year. He has been one of their most reliable players even in a series where Hope and Rutherford have taken the headlines.
How Does the 3rd T20I Compare With the First Two Matches?
Looking at the three matches together tells a clearer story than any single scorecard.
| Match | Venue | India | West Indies | Result | Key fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Lucknow | 172/2 | 171 all out | India by 8 wickets | Hope out for 52, India chased easily |
| 2nd T20I | Ranchi | 249/5 | 252/4 | West Indies by 6 wickets | Hope 102 not out, 41 runs in overs 17 and 18 |
| 3rd T20I | Indore | 223 all out | 209/7 | India by 14 runs | Hope out for 5, Arshdeep’s 18th over |
Three patterns stand out.
Hope decides results. In every game, Hope’s score has predicted the winner. He is West Indies’ best batter and India’s biggest danger.
The death overs are where India win or lose. In Ranchi, India’s bowling at the end was the weakest part of the game. In Indore, it was the strongest.
Batting second is not automatic anymore. The first two games were won by the chasing side. Indore broke that pattern, even though West Indies chose to bowl again. Captains will now think harder about the toss.
For a refresher on how India started the series, read our India vs West Indies 1st T20I result report. For the full story of the record chase, see [internal link: India vs West Indies 2nd T20I result, Shai Hope century in Ranchi].
Records From the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fastest India century stand in T20Is (by run rate) | Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, 108 at 16.2 an over |
| Fastest to 2,000 T20I runs (balls faced) | Abhishek Sharma, 1,024 balls |
| Third fastest T20I fifty against West Indies | Abhishek Sharma, 18 balls |
| Most 50 plus scores inside the powerplay for India | Abhishek Sharma, 7 |
| Third highest all out total in men’s T20Is | India, 223 |
| Most T20I runs by a West Indies batter in a calendar year | Shimron Hetmyer, 614 in 2026 |
The 223 all out record is the odd one. It tells you India scored heavily but did not use all their resources well. Most teams that score 223 lose six or seven wickets, not all ten. You can follow the latest T20I rankings and records on the ICC website.
India vs West Indies 3rd T20I: Player Ratings
| Player | Team | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | India | 9 | Hope, Rutherford and Paul, plus a catch |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 8.5 | 69 off 30 and a world record milestone |
| Shamar Springer | West Indies | 7.5 | 35 not out off 11 and two wickets |
| Ishan Kishan | India | 7.5 | 37 off 18 in a record stand |
| Roston Chase | West Indies | 7.5 | Removed Kishan and Iyer in three balls |
| Naman Dhir | India | 7 | 2 for 39, though Pooran hit him for three sixes |
| Shimron Hetmyer | West Indies | 7 | Top scorer, out at a bad time |
| Kamil Pooran | West Indies | 6.5 | 42 off 27 before holing out |
| Tilak Varma | India | 6 | Good catches, but a costly run out |
| Shai Hope | West Indies | 4 | Out for 5, though he stumped Kishan |
What Does the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I Result Mean for the Series?
India lead 2 to 1, with the 4th T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14, and the 5th at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17. One more win gives India the series.
For India, the bowling plan is now clearer. India’s XI in Indore had Arshdeep, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prince Yadav, while Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav were left out. The changes gave India more seam and a left arm option at the death. We expect India to keep this attack for Hyderabad.
For West Indies, it is all about Hope. They need their captain to bat long again. A plan where Hope bats through and Rutherford and Hetmyer attack around him has already beaten India once on this tour.
Our prediction for the 4th T20I: Hyderabad usually offers a true pitch and quick outfield. We expect another 200 plus game. India are favourites, around 60 to 40, because of their deeper batting and better death bowling in Indore. If West Indies win the toss, they should bowl first again.
Our series prediction: After Ranchi, we moved our prediction to 3 to 2 for India. We are keeping that. West Indies have shown they can win from anywhere, so we expect the series to go to Bengaluru.
Check every fixture and squad in our West Indies tour of India 2026 schedule guide.
What Can Fans and Fantasy Players Take From the 3rd T20I?
The India vs West Indies 3rd T20I gives a few useful lessons for the rest of the series.
Watch the powerplay, not the final total. In Indore, the team that won the first six overs won the match. When you follow the 4th T20I, compare the two powerplay scores. A gap of 25 runs or more usually decides a game.
Run outs are a warning sign. India lost two batters to run outs while trying to rush the score. Expect the team to talk about calmer finishes before Hyderabad.
Fantasy tips for the 4th T20I:
- Arshdeep Singh is a strong captain or vice captain choice as India’s main death bowler.
- Abhishek Sharma is the best batting pick after his 69 and his powerplay record.
- Roston Chase remains a smart differential bowler, since he has taken key wickets in two straight games.
- Shai Hope is a high risk, high reward captain pick for West Indies.
To see who else could come into India’s side, read our India T20I squad news and injury updates. Many of these players also won gold for India at the Asian Games, covered in our Asian Games 2026 cricket hub.
Who Was Player of the Match in the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I?
Arshdeep Singh was named Player of the Match for his 3 for 44. He bowled Shai Hope in the second over and then removed Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul in the 18th over, which ended West Indies’ chase. Abhishek Sharma, with 69 off 30 balls, was the other main contender.
India vs West Indies 3rd T20I FAQs
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Who won the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I?
India won by 14 runs in Indore on October 11, 2026. They defended 223 and took a 2 to 1 lead in the five match series. Arshdeep Singh’s double strike in the 18th over was the turning point of the chase.
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What was the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I score?
India were bowled out for 223 in 20 overs after being sent in. West Indies replied with 209 for 7 in their 20 overs. India’s powerplay score of 87 for 1 was 33 runs better than West Indies’ 54 for 1.
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Who was the top scorer in the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I?
Abhishek Sharma top scored with 69 off 30 balls. For West Indies, Shimron Hetmyer made 43 off 26 and Kamil Pooran 42 off 27.
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Who took the most wickets in the 3rd T20I?
Arshdeep Singh took 3 for 44 for India. Naman Dhir took 2 for 39, while Roston Chase, Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph took two wickets each for West Indies.
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What record did Abhishek Sharma set in the 3rd T20I?
He became the fastest batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs by balls faced, in 1,024 balls. His stand of 108 with Ishan Kishan was also India’s fastest T20I century partnership.
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Where was the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I played?
It was played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
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When is the India vs West Indies 4th T20I?
The 4th T20I is on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, starting at 7:00 PM IST.
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What is the series score after the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I?
India lead the five match T20I series 2 to 1. The 4th T20I is in Hyderabad on October 14 and the final match is in Bengaluru on October 17. One more win gives India the series.
The Final Word From Indore
The India vs West Indies 3rd T20I showed both sides of this Indian team. With the bat, India were thrilling for seven overs and then careless for thirteen. With the ball, they were far sharper than in Ranchi, and Arshdeep Singh gave them the death overs they had been missing.
West Indies lost, but they did not fall apart. They bowled India out, came within 14 runs and showed again that their lower order can hit with anyone. The difference this time was simple: Hope went early, and Arshdeep took the wickets that mattered. With India one win from the series, Hyderabad now becomes a must win match for West Indies. For another view of the game, read the Outlook India match report.
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