India defend 223 to beat West Indies and take 2-1 T20I lead

Published: 2026-10-13 00:00:00

India held off a late West Indies charge to win the third T20I by 14 runs in Indore, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The hosts’ total of 223 proved just enough on a surface where the absence of dew helped the bowlers stay in the contest.

Arshdeep leads India’s defence

Arshdeep Singh was named Player of the Match after taking 3/44 from his four overs. India’s bowlers kept West Indies from building the partnerships needed to stay abreast of the required rate. Shai Hope fell cheaply, while Shimron Hetmyer made a start but could not turn it into a match-shaping innings.

West Indies finished on 209/7. Shamar Springer struck 35 from only 11 balls, including a flurry of boundaries and sixes late in the innings, but the surge came too late to change the result. India captain Shreyas Iyer praised the bowlers’ confidence and their clarity in executing plans. West Indies captain Shai Hope said his side could have done better with the ball and in the field, and that losing wickets in the Powerplay left the chase on the back foot.

India recover after a blazing start

India raced to 87 in the Powerplay and were 109/1 after eight overs, with Abhishek Sharma providing a rapid start. The innings lost momentum in the middle overs as Roston Chase helped West Indies take wickets and interrupt the scoring. India nevertheless pushed beyond 220, with useful contributions down the order; Iyer also singled out Ishan Kishan’s recent batting and Prince Yadav’s late runs.

The result was the first successful defence of a target across the tour’s six completed white-ball matches, spanning three ODIs and three T20Is. India now head to Hyderabad with a series lead, while West Indies need a win in the fourth T20I to keep the contest alive.

What they said

Arshdeep said it was pleasing to get the ball reversing and described the team environment as relaxed, with players backing one another through good and difficult days. Hope credited India for bowling well and said small moments had decided the game.