🏏India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI, West Indies tour of India, 2026🏏

🏏India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI, West Indies tour of India, 2026🏏

Looking back, both games of the series have very roughly followed the same sequence. Guwahati was the Trivandrum ODI on steroids: on a flatter pitch, West Indies managed to upgrade from 295/7 to 405/7, and both times India chased it down at a canter, without bothering their middle-order.

There have been eight centuries, four on either side. Twice now, India’s bowlers have proved insipid in the afternoon heat, and West Indies’s attack erratic under lights.

The differentiator has been Kuldeep Yadav, the leading wicket-taker so far, who used the surface to his advantage in the first ODI, and brought a semblance of control in the other, even if the rest of his ilk has found little to work with.

After dealing with him for 20 overs, West Indies would have now built better judgement to face him, but the series is now past them, even if their Powerplay batting and Amir Jangoo have been distinct positives.

When asked about Gudakesh Motie and Vitel Lawes ahead of the first ODI, Shai Hope corrected a journalist for forgetting to mention Roston Chase.

The offie has had a largely forgettable series, considering he came in with more India experience than the rest of the spin attack. But finger-spinners on either side have struggled, which prompted West Indies to bring in Vitel Lawes, their teenage wrist-spin prodigy, even if it didn’t make much difference in the end.

From Indian fans’ point of view, the series has been a treat: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have cracked tons, while a red-hot Shubman Gill has partied with both, and has a realistic chance of breaking his own aggregate record in a three-match bilateral series. But expect experimentation, not just because India have the series, but because that’s their clear intention with the World Cup in mind.

When: India vs West Indies third ODI, October 3, 2026, 2pm start

Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh

What to expect: Well, more heat in the afternoon. Trivandrum and Guwahati were both hot, fielders were switching in and out, batters were cramping. That’s unlikely to change, with temperatures in the mid-30s in the afternoon. The sapping heat has been followed by long travel, covering roughly 4,000 km with matches scheduled in different corners, so there’s likely to be enough personnel change from both sides.

There’s also an element of uncertainty. This is New Chandigarh’s first-ever men's ODI, with the last List A game held in December 2021. Both teams won’t mind chasing: the side batting second has won four out of five List A games at the venue. Ahead of the game, Naman Dhir, who plays for Punjab, said he hasn’t assessed the pitch yet, but from what he understands, 290-300 will be a good total.

Team news

India: For the third time in a row, India opted against practice a day before the game. Often, training sessions can give indications on team combinations, but India have already spelled out they’ll be changing things around, particularly for this dead rubber. Prasidh Krishna is out due to a left hamstring injury, and Anshul Kamboj has been called up. Given India’s outlook, he could slot in immediately, with the option to also try out Mohammed Siraj. Nitish Reddy could be back in contention, potentially switched out from his new-ball role in the first game.

Further up, it remains to be seen if one of the openers makes way for Yashasvi Jaiswal to finally get some game time. KL Rahul has not had a chance to bat, so if backup keeper Dhruv Jurel gets a look-in, it could be for Ruturaj Gaikwad. Naman Dhir also left the field during the second ODI, with visuals showing he twisted his ankle, but the management confirmed it was just cramps.

Probable XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma/Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad/Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Naman Dhir, Nitish Reddy/Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj/Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar

West Indies: Justin Greaves is out of the third ODI due to the calf injury sustained earlier. West Indies ended up adjusting well by giving Keacy Carty a top-order spot, even though he didn’t immediately make it count. Shai Hope continues his excellent ODI form, and in Amir Jangoo, the team has a reliable and versatile middle-order batter who tackles spin well. The batting could stay untouched, unless they would like to give Jewel Andrew another go.

Their bowling poses a much bigger question. Alzarri Joseph, their pace leader, has had two torrid nights. Jayden Seales was taken for runs by Gill in the second game, while Keemo Paul did very little to justify being picked over Matthew Forde. Shamar, in for the second game, was more cold than hot. It remains to be seen if they put Vitel Lawes in the firing line again or switch back to Gudakesh Motie, with Chase likely to keep his place as the only right-arm spin option.

Probable XI: John Campbell, Keacy Carty/Jewel Andrew, Shai Hope (c & wk), Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul/Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Vitel Lawes/Gudakesh Motie

Did you know?

India have now won 14 consecutive bilateral series against West Indies, an ongoing record for any team against a single opposition

Shai Hope has scored eight ODI centuries in Asia - the joint second most by a visiting batter in Asia after AB de Villiers (10) and Quinton de Kock (10)

After 68 innings, Shubman Gill has the most runs (3712), most 50+ scores (31), and joint-most centuries (with Hashim Amla) by any batter in ODIs

What they said

“I thought it has been a good gauge as to where we are in the context of ODI cricket, what we have to do in order to compete to win against a top side. The pitches have been very good for our batters, but it has been really harsh on the bowlers, but it is a good gauge” – Head coach Daren Sammy, on the learnings from the series in the larger context

“I have been bowling since the beginning. I haven't been seen bowling in the IPL at all, because of the Impact Player rule, so I haven’t been required to. But I have been bowling for my state. I have also bowled for our (Sher-e-Punjab) league. And since my entry in the IPL, I have been working on my bowling a lot, especially in the Mumbai Indians camp. So that’s helped me a lot” – Naman Dhir, on his bowling role

West Indies want to dodge a whitewash, and India's selectors get a rare chance to test their bench.

Mullanpur stages its first-ever men's ODI, so even the pitch is a mystery. Red-soil surfaces tend to offer true bounce, and evening dew could turn the match into a chaser's paradise. Read on for the predicted playing XIs, the pitch report, the rest-or-rotate debate and a clear prediction.

How The 2nd ODI Changed The India Vs West Indies 3rd ODI

Shubman Gill smashed an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls, and his double century came in 117 balls, the fastest in ODI history. Rohit Sharma added 101 off 75 deliveries, and the pair shared a 255-run opening stand. India finished the chase of 406 in 43.3 overs with 39 balls to spare.

West Indies deserve credit despite the defeat. Amir Jangoo (114), Shai Hope (104) and John Campbell (101) all scored hundreds in a 405/7 total. Bowling remains the glaring weakness, because Jayden Seales and company could not defend even that mountain.

India Vs West Indies 3rd ODI Pitch Report And Weather

Mullanpur hosts its first men's ODI, so no ODI history exists to lean on. Reports describe a red-soil surface with reliable bounce that rewards stroke-makers once they settle. Seamers may find early movement, and spinners should get some grip as the afternoon wears on.

Weather looks friendly for the series finale. Forecasts point to a bright, sunny afternoon with no rain expected to interrupt play. Dew often arrives in the evening at this venue, so a wet ball could make bowling harder in the second innings.

Captains will likely bowl first after winning the toss. Chasing sides have thrived in this series, and India just ran down 406. Totals in the 300s look realistic on this surface, and 400 is not off the table after Guwahati.