India and West Indies will begin their five-match T20I series when they face each other in the first game at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on October 6. Both teams have several match-winners in their batting line-ups, but a few players stand out because of their recent performances.
Here are three batters who could have a major impact in the opening T20I.
3. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is likely to be one of the batters to watch for India after making a strong impact in recent international cricket. The left-hander has remained an aggressive option at the top of the order and brings the ability to change the game quickly in the powerplay. He was also part of India’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the 2026 Asian Games and featured in the final against Pakistan.
With the first T20I against West Indies coming just days after the Asian Games final, Kishan will be keen to carry that experience into the series. He has also featured regularly for India in T20 cricket and has the ability to take on both pace and spin.
2. Shai Hope
Shai Hope enters the T20I series with tremendous confidence after a brilliant ODI series against India. The West Indies captain was one of the biggest performers in the three-match series, finishing with 278 runs. He saved his best for the third ODI, scoring an unbeaten 162 to guide West Indies to a historic chase of 352 in New Chandigarh. It was West Indies’ highest successful ODI chase, while Hope’s innings was also the highest by a West Indies batter in a successful ODI chase.
Hope will now look to carry that form into the shortest format. He has already shown that he can adapt his game according to the situation, and his experience at the top of the order makes him an important batter for West Indies. If he gets through the powerplay, India could have a difficult task containing him.
1. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma is arguably one of the most dangerous T20 batters going around at the moment. The left-hander has developed a reputation for attacking from the first ball and can put opposition bowlers under pressure during the powerplay. His recent numbers also highlight his ability to produce big performances, including a stunning 108 off just 34 balls against Afghanistan in September.
Abhishek was at his destructive best in the 2026 Asian Games final against Pakistan. He smashed 61 off just 28 balls, with three fours and seven sixes, helping India make a flying start in their 211/6 total. His seven sixes also equalled Yuvraj Singh’s record for the most sixes by an Indian batter in a T20I against Pakistan.
With Abhishek opening the innings, India will have an aggressive option capable of taking the game away from West Indies in the first few overs. His battle against the Caribbean bowlers could be one of the key talking points of the first T20I.