India vs West Indies Playing 11: Check probable players, full squads ahead of 1st T20I in Lucknow

India return to T20I action on Tuesday when Shreyas Iyer’s side take on West Indies in the first match of the three-game series at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, with the hosts facing key selection calls ahead of the contest. The biggest question for India is who joins Abhishek Sharma at the top, with Sanju Samson and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi competing for the second opening slot.

The match will be India’s first international assignment after their gold medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games 2026. With West Indies bringing a group of experienced T20 players familiar with Indian conditions, the opening encounter is expected to offer a tougher test for the hosts than some of their recent assignments against lower-ranked opposition.

India vs West Indies predicted playing XI

The likely combination could see Samson open alongside Abhishek Sharma, with Ishan Kishan providing wicketkeeping cover and a left-handed option in the batting order.


India probable XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav and Naman Dhir are among the other options available to India.

West Indies probable XI: Shai Hope (C, WK), Jewel Andrew, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson and Shamar Springer are among the other players available for selection.

India vs West Indies T20I head-to-head record

India have the advantage in the overall T20I head-to-head record. The teams have met 31 times, with India winning 20 matches and West Indies securing 10 victories. One match produced no result.

India vs West Indies 1st T20I squads

India: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir.

West Indies: Shai Hope (C & WK), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.

India’s opening combination the key selection call

Head coach Gautam Gambhir faces a choice between Samson and Sooryavanshi to partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order.

All three featured during India’s Asian Games campaign, with Sooryavanshi opening and Samson batting at No. 3. However, Samson was not entirely comfortable in the middle order, making an opening role a more likely option if India decide to include him in Lucknow.

India’s pace combination is another area to watch. Arshdeep Singh is expected to spearhead the attack, while Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav are competing for another place in the pace department.