Shreyas Iyer-led India take on Shai Hope's West Indies in T20 series opener at Ekana Stadium

Lucknow: The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is set to host the opening match of the five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. Following the conclusion of their recent ODI assignments, both squads transition to the shortest format under lights, with the toss scheduled for 6:30 PM IST ahead of a 7:00 PM start.

Shreyas Iyer Leads New-Look Indian Side

India enters the series with a dynamic, youthful squad led by middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, with explosive young talent Tilak Varma appointed as vice-captain. Selectors have rested several senior frontline names, opening up vital opportunities for rising stars and domestic performers, including young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and pace spearhead Mayank Yadav. With conditions at the Ekana Stadium historically offering early assistance to new-ball bowlers before settling into a balanced surface for stroke-play, the home side will look to leverage its depth and aggressive intent to seize an early advantage in the series.

Shai Hope Captains Visiting West Indies Squad

The West Indies arrive in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Shai Hope, aiming to counter India's spin-heavy attack with a powerful, power-hitting batting lineup that features seasoned shortest-format specialists. The Caribbean side made late adjustments to their travelling party, bringing in Amir Jangoo as cover for the injured Jewel Andrew. The visitors have emphasized aggressive intent in the powerplay overs to neutralise India's disciplined bowling attack. Fans across the subcontinent can catch live television coverage on the Star Sports Network, with digital streaming available on JioHotstar.