The IND vs. WI T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match 52, held at Eden Gardens, will determine semi-final qualification on Sunday. On March 1, India and the West Indies played a do-or-die match. But they share a contrasting situation.
Both sides sit level on four points, but the West Indies carry a superior net run rate of +1.791 against India’s -0.100. That NRR gap adds extra pressure on India. A washout sends the West Indies through without playing a ball. South Africa already qualified from Group 1.
The West Indies has a World Cup-winning history in this ground. But India vs West Indies head-to-head in T20s favours India. Who loses their campaign ends tonight.
So this India vs West Indies head-to-head in T20 becomes the tournament’s defining contest so far. Ind vs WI live coverage from Kolkata starts at 7 PM local time, with the toss at 6:30 P.M.
Table of Contents
Match Details of IND vs WI Super Eight
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Stage: Super 8, Group 1
- Fixture: India vs West Indies (Match 52 of 55)
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
- Toss Time: 6:30 PM IST
- Start Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Live Broadcast: Available globally via official partners like Star Sports (India) and SuperSport.
- Tickets: District
IND vs WI Head to Head Records (T20I)
| Category | Matches | India Wins | West Indies Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall T20Is | 30 | 19 | 10 | 1 |
| In T20 World Cups | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| In India | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| At Eden Gardens | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Team News: Rinku Singh Returns, West Indies at Full Strength
India received a boost as Rinku Singh rejoined the squad after the death of his father, Khanchand Singh, on February 27. He left Chennai early Friday to attend the final rites in New Delhi and missed the Zimbabwe match.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed his return to Kolkata. Sanju Samson opened against Zimbabwe in Rinku’s absence alongside Abhishek Sharma. Suryakumar Yadav leads a settled group that showed character against Zimbabwe with a 72-run win.
West Indies name an unchanged squad. Shai Hope leads a side that includes experienced finishers Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell. South Africa exposed their batting fragility last time, so expect Hope to shuffle his batting order slightly.
India vs West Indies Super 8 Probable XIs
India: Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
India vs West Indies Super 8 Probable XIs
India: Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
Pitch Report: Eden Gardens Conditions and Toss Call
Eden Gardens historically offers a pitch that plays true early and slows through the match. Spinners gain more grip after 10 overs, making the surface ideal for India’s two-spinner attack. Teams batting first at this ground average 162 in recent T20 internationals.
The toss carries real weight tonight. Chasing sides here have won 58% of matches in the last two years. Dew typically arrives after the 12th over of the second innings, which makes bowling first a calculated gamble.
Expect both captains to weigh powerplay conditions against dew risk carefully before making the call.
3 Tactical Keys That Decide This Match
India Must Attack the Powerplay
West Indies seam bowlers Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder bowl with genuine pace. India cannot afford passive starts. Ishan Kishan strikes at over 200 in this tournament. He must set the tempo inside the first six overs. If India scores below 45 in the powerplay, the pressure shifts significantly.
West Indies Must Neutralise Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy has taken 11 wickets in six matches. His carrom ball and wrong ‘un confuse batters who play him for the first time. West Indies need Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer to read him early. Playing him straight and rotating strike works better than attempting big hits against mystery spin on a slower surface.
Death Bowling Battle Decides the Chase
Arshdeep Singh’s yorker accuracy at the death is arguably India’s biggest match-winning weapon. In this tournament, he concedes fewer than nine runs per over in the final four overs. West Indies must get Hetmyer and Powell to the crease by the 15th over to give themselves a proper platform for the final assault.
Players to Watch
Suryakumar Yadav (India): 213 runs in 6 matches at an average of 42.60. He plays through all 360 degrees and thrives when India needs acceleration. South Africa slowed him down. West Indies bowlers must not allow him time to settle.
Gudakesh Motie (West Indies): 10 wickets at a 7.75 economy rate. He turns the ball sharply on slow surfaces and attacks right-handers with his natural angle. Eden Gardens suits him perfectly. Motie against Suryakumar in the middle overs is the duel of the match.
Arshdeep Singh (India): 8 wickets in five matches. His swing in the first two overs and his yorkers in the last four give India control at both ends of the innings. If he removes King and Hopes early, the West Indies’ collapse becomes a real possibility.
Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies): 221 runs at an average of 44.20. He plays fearless cricket under pressure and thrives in knockout situations. West Indies need him to stay in the shed until the 13th over and then explode.
Prediction
India start as slight favourites tonight. Their bowling depth, home conditions at Eden Gardens, and the in-form opening partnership give them a narrow edge. However, the West Indies have match-winners capable of turning any game.
Expect India to bat first after winning the toss, post 175 to 185, and defend it through Chakravarthy and Bumrah in the middle overs. India win by 15 to 20 runs in a tense finish that stays alive until the 18th over.
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