Reasons why Team India must be wary of West Indies ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash
IND vs WI, Super 8: Why India Cannot Afford to Underestimate West Indies in T20 World Cup 2026. (Credits: ICC/BCCI X)
West Indies' batting capitulated against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Thursday, not in the way Team India did against the same opposition at the very same venue or how their fans would have hoped. Despite amassing 176 from the position they found themselves in at once, the Proteas walloped the Caribbeans to remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament. But it is the West Indies' stunning recovery from a near-hopeless situation that should worry India.
The single most critical factor in West Indies' recovery against South Africa from being 83-7 was their deep batting line-up. A bona fide six-hitter in Romario Shepherd coming to bat at No.9 means the two-time champions can keep going hard for as long as possible. Both Shepherd and Jason Holder continued to smack boundaries at will at the death, stitching an 89-run stand only off 57 deliveries to lift the West Indies to 176/8. They have a batting line-up similar to 2016 but they may well need a glue like Marlon Samuels, who was the catalyst behind their triumph in 2012 and 2016. Team India struggled to contain South Africa after reducing them to 20/3; hence, West Indies' catalogue of six-hitters means they must be wary.
Although Zimbabwe surprisingly missed out on the trick to deploy off-spin early on against Team India, West Indies will have an eye on India's struggles against it throughout the tournament.
#OnThisDay in 2016, West Indies became double @T20WorldCup champions! 🏆
They first beat 🇦🇺 by eight wickets in the women's final, before the men trumped 🏴 by four wickets in a finale which has been quoted many times since 👇 pic.twitter.com/qDW4WkpwtC— ICC (@ICC) April 2, 2020
The sample size of West Indies' T20 World Cup matches in Kolkata is as low as three but it's a record the Caribbeans will take pride in when they take the field on Sunday against Team India. They have won all their T20 World Cup matches at the venue, beating England, Italy and Scotland. The sample size may not matter when fans reflect on Carlos Brathwaite's jaw-dropping last-over assault on Ben Stokes, hitting four consecutive sixes to raze down the required 19 runs. It only goes to show that the West Indies are two-time champions for nothing and can win from any situation. India can equally take the field with an upper hand as they are yet to lose a T20I to West Indies at the Eden Gardens in four meetings.
But what T20 World Cup 2026 has done is exposed some holes in India's line-up and fans will hope Sunday is not the day when it's decisive enough to lose.
While the West Indies haven't been at their best in the last two T20 World Cup editions, their history of performing in crunch games is credible enough. The Men in Maroon thwarted an in-form Australia in 2012 semi-final followed by beating hosts Sri Lanka in the final to lift their maiden title. They had also beaten the hosts India in 2016 semi-final and defeated England for the second time in the tournament to win the trophy.
Team India have reasons to be optimistic after their convincing 72-run win over Zimbabwe and have the temperament to beat the West Indies. But the Men in Maroon also have the brawns and brains to upstage India, who will be more under pressure.
Also Read: The New Spine of Zimbabwe Cricket — Brian Bennett Takes T20 World Cup 2026 By Storm
