India will be hosting the West Indies for three ODIs and three T20Is in September-October 2026. The West Indies had previously visited India for two tests this year and now will play a white-ball series. The first T20I will be played in Lucknow on October 6; the second T20I will be played on October 9 in Ranchi, and the third T20I will be played on October 11 in Indore.
India has named a very good T20I squad for the three games, which is nearly identical to the one that will go to Japan for the Asian Games 2026. There are a few modifications to the squad, with some new faces being included and a few stalwarts missing. Let’s take a look at the three notable names missing from India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series.
Here are the 3 Indian players who are missing in the T20I squad for the IND vs. WI series:
3. Hardik Pandya
It looks like Hardik Pandya is not in BCCI selectors’ contention for T20I cricket. Notably, Pandya last played for India in the T20 World Cup 2026 and has been out of action since suffering a back issue in IPL 2026. He then suffered another injury just before his return date and will now play for India A in one-dayers against Australia A. With focus being on the 2027 ICC World Cup, selectors might not choose Hardik Pandya in the T20I format given his fitness issues.
2. Varun Chakaravarthy
Varun Chakaravarthy was excluded from the West Indies T20I squad after he suffered another injury during the first T20I against Afghanistan. Varun had returned to the Indian team after suffering a hamstring injury during the England series and missed the Zimbabwe T20Is. He picked 1/16 in 1st T20I against Afghanistan but suffered a side strain and has been ruled out for the Asian Games and wants to be picked for the West Indies series as well.
1. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been in good form since his return to the India T20I squad for Afghanistan. He returned after missing the Zimbabwe T20Is and Sri Lanka Tests after suffering a knee injury during England ODIs. Bumrah has also been named in the Asian Games 2026 event in Japan and is likely rested for the West Indies T20Is, given that India will next tour New Zealand for two Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is, and he will be a key bowler for Shubman Gill and co.
