India vs West Indies 1st T20I Match 6 October 2026: Playing XI, Squad, Time, Venue & Where to Watch

India and West Indies are ready to face each other in the first T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The match will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

India will be led by Shreyas Iyer, while Shai Hope will captain the West Indies side. The match is expected to be an exciting contest as both teams have several experienced players as well as young talents in their squads.

India enter the T20I series after winning the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, while West Indies will look to build on their confidence after winning the third ODI of the recently concluded ODI series.

Here is everything you need to know about the India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026, including the date, time, venue, squads, probable playing XI and live-streaming details.

India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026: Match Details

India vs West Indies 1st T20I Playing XI

The final Playing XI will be announced at the toss. Based on the squads and selection reports available before the match, these are the expected line-ups.

India's Playing XI

1. Abhishek Sharma – Batter

Sanju Samson – Wicketkeeper-Batter

Ishan Kishan – Wicketkeeper-Batter

Shreyas Iyer (C) – Batter

Tilak Varma – Batter

Shivam Dube – All-rounder

Nitish Kumar Reddy – All-rounder

Axar Patel – All-rounder

Kuldeep Yadav – Spinner

Arshdeep Singh – Fast Bowler

Prince Yadav – Fast Bowler

West Indies' Playing XI

1. Kamil Pooran – Batter

2. Shai Hope (C & WK) – Wicketkeeper-Batter

3. Shimron Hetmyer – Batter

4. Roston Chase – All-rounder

5. Rovman Powell – Batter

6. Sherfane Rutherford – All-rounder

7. Romario Shepherd – All-rounder

8. Matthew Forde – All-rounder

9. Akeal Hosein – Spinner

10. Gudakesh Motie – Spinner

11. Shamar Joseph – Fast Bowler

When Will India vs West Indies 1st T20I Be Played?

The India vs West Indies 1st T20I will be played on October 6, 2026.

The match will begin at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). The toss is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST, around 30 minutes before the start of play.

Where Will India vs West Indies 1st T20I Be Played?

The first T20I will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The stadium is one of India's major cricket grounds and regularly hosts international matches.

India T20I Squad vs West Indies

India have named a 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series.

Naman Dhir has been added to the squad in place of Washington Sundar, who is unavailable for the T20I series.

West Indies T20I Squad

West Indies have also selected a strong 15-member squad for the series.

Where to Watch India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026?

Indian cricket fans can watch the India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026 live on the Star Sports Network on television. The match will also be available for online streaming on JioHotstar through its app and website.

India vs West Indies 1st T20I: TV and Live Streaming

The India vs West Indies 1st T20I is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 6:30 PM IST.

Fans who prefer to watch the match online can stream the India vs West Indies 1st T20I live on JioHotstar through its app and website.

The television broadcast and digital streaming coverage may include pre-match build-up, live match coverage and post-match analysis.

Key Players to Watch

1. Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the T20I series. He will have an important role in guiding India's batting line-up and leading a side that includes several young players.

2. Abhishek Sharma: Abhishek Sharma is expected to play an important role at the top of India's batting order. His ability to score quickly can give India a strong start in the powerplay.

3. Tilak Varma: Tilak Varma is India's vice-captain for the series. He provides stability in the middle order and can also contribute with the ball when required.

4. Shai Hope: Shai Hope will lead the West Indies and also take responsibility behind the stumps. His experience will be important for the visitors.

5. Shimron Hetmyer: Shimron Hetmyer returns to the West Indies T20I setup and brings plenty of experience in the shortest format.

6. Akeal Hosein: Akeal Hosein will be one of West Indies' important spin options. His bowling could be useful on the Lucknow surface.

So, the India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026 will begin the five-match T20I series in Lucknow. India, led by Shreyas Iyer, will look to start the series with a win, while Shai Hope's West Indies will aim to make a strong start.

The match begins at 7:00 PM IST on October 6, with the toss at 6:30 PM IST. Fans in India can watch the match live on Star Sports Network and stream it on JioHotstar.