Lucknow: India’s Fortress

The Ekana Cricket Stadium has become a sanctuary for the host side, boasting a perfect record in the three Twenty‑20 Internationals it has hosted so far. Wins over West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka have turned the venue into a comfortable launchpad for India.

The ground’s first international fixture was also a clash with the West Indies back in November 2018, when Rohit Sharma’s scintillating century steered India to victory.

A Fresh T20 Leadership Set‑up

Shreyas Iyer will don the captain’s armband for the white‑ball side, with Tilak Varma named his deputy. The squad blends aggression with depth: openers Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and the promising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Iyer, Varma and Shivam Dube add stability in the middle order.

On the bowling front, India retains Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Axar Patel and left‑arm wrist‑spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Fast‑bowling star Jasprit Bumrah is being rested to manage his workload.

Kuldeep Yadav: The Spin Threat

Among the buzz‑worthy names is left‑arm wrist‑spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The Kanpur‑born bowler knows Lucknow’s pitches intimately, having taken two vital wickets in the 2018 win over the West Indies. His experience could prove decisive once more.

Firepower in the Top Order

India’s batting line‑up is packed with big‑hitters. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan can provide explosive starts, while Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube add depth further down.

The visitors will rely on their seasoned T20 campaigners. Shai Hope leads the West Indies, supported by the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase and Rovman Powell, who blend experience with flair.

Series Itinerary

The five‑match T20 series begins in Lucknow on 6 October, before moving to Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. All fixtures are scheduled as evening encounters.

With the ODI series already decided in India’s favour, the T20 leg offers a clean slate. The Lucknow opener will be the first real test of how each side adapts to the rapid‑fire format and whether India can extend its unbeaten run at Ekana.