Recall: India’s Last T20I at Indore Before the 2026 West Indies Showdown

As the cricketing world turns its eyes to the Holkar Cricket Stadium this October, India are about to host the West Indies for the third T20I of their five‑match series. The atmosphere is already buzzing – after all, it’s not every day you get a high‑octane duel between Shai Hope’s fireworks and Sanju Samson’s aggressive strokes on Indian soil.

The series has already produced a handful of talking points. In Ranchi, India posted a mammoth 249/5, with Samson smashing an 82‑run blitz. The visitors, however, answered back in style – Hope smashed a second T20I century (102*) and Rutherford added 84, sealing a six‑wicket win and leveling the series at 1‑1. So the stakes are high, and the Indore crowd will be hungry for another thriller.

But before we get lost in the present, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. When was the last time India actually played a T20I at the Holkar Cricket Stadium? The answer takes us back to January 14, 2024, when India faced Afghanistan in a three‑match bilateral series.

Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field first. Afghanistan, looking confident, rattled off 172 for 7 in their 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib was the star with the bat, hammering 57 off just 35 balls, peppered with five fours and four sixes. On the Indian side, the bowlers shared the spoils: Arshdeep Singh (3/32), Axar Patel (2/17) and rookie Ravi Bishnoi (2/39) each chipped in, keeping the visitors on the back foot.

The chase, however, was anything but smooth. Rohit fell for a golden duck in the very first over, courtesy of Fazalhaq Farooqi. But Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli stitched together a quick 57‑run partnership, before Kohli was out for 29. Jaiswal then teamed up with Shivam Dube, and the duo put together a brilliant 92‑run stand – Jaiswal finishing on 68 (5 fours, 6 sixes) and Dube unbeaten on 63 (5 fours, 4 sixes). Their aggressive intent saw India cruising to the target in just 15.4 overs, winning by six wickets.

That 2024 win still echoes in Indore’s corridors, and it sets a promising backdrop for the upcoming clash with the West Indies. Fans will be hoping for another high‑scoring affair, perhaps a repeat of those big partnerships, as the Men in Blue look to clinch the series on home turf.