Lucknow: India’s Fortress on Paper
India stride into the first T20 encounter with a perfect record at Ekana Cricket Stadium – three wins out of three, all against quality opposition. Triumphs over West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka have turned the venue into a sanctuary for the hosts.
The stadium’s inaugural international was itself a India‑West Indies clash back in November 2018, when Rohit Sharma’s scintillating century steered the home side to victory.
Fresh Leadership for the White‑Ball Squad
Shreyas Iyer will captain the limited‑overs side, with Tilak Varma acting as his deputy. The line‑up blends aggression with depth: openers Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and the promising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Iyer, Varma and Shivam Dube provide stability in the middle order.
On the seam, India retain Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Axar Patel and the left‑arm wrist‑spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Fast‑bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah sits out to manage his workload.
Kuldeep Yadav: The Spin Weapon to Watch
All eyes are on left‑arm wrist‑spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The Kanpur‑born bowler knows Lucknow’s pitches intimately, having taken two vital wickets in the 2018 victory over the West Indies. His experience could prove decisive once more.
Firepower in the Batting Line‑Up
India’s top order brims with power hitters – Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan can explode off the first ball, while Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube add depth further down.
The visitors will lean on their seasoned T20 campaigners. West Indies will be led by Shai Hope, supported by the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase and Rovman Powell, a blend of experience and flair.
Series Itinerary
The five‑match T20 series launches in Lucknow on 6 October, before moving to Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, with all fixtures scheduled as evening games.
Having settled the ODI contest 2‑1 in India’s favour, the T20 leg offers a fresh canvas. The Lucknow opener will be the first real test of each side’s adaptability to the shortest format and whether India can preserve its unbeaten streak at Ekana.
