India vs West Indies 2026 | 3rd ODI | Preview and Predictions

Indian skipper Shubman Gill wrote his name into the record books after his unbeaten 223* saw India pull off their highest run chase in ODI history. Gill and Sharma led the way to see India win the three match series and Gill now be looking for a whitewash in New Chandigarh. 

Ahead of the third  ODI between India and West Indies, here’s our match preview and predictions. 

IND v WI 2026 | 3rd ODI | 14:00 IST, October 3, 2026

India went in with another inexperienced bowling attack as Prasidh Krishna was the lead seamer along with the debutant Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were the frontline spinners along with Naman Dhir. On a pitch which was a belter and gave nothing for the bowlers, the Indian bowling attack was taken apart with debutant Auqib Nabi having a horror start to his international career as he leaked 0/84 in 8.5 overs. The most experienced seamer, Prasidh Krishna also missed his lengths and was deposited to all parts of Barsapara stadium. The spinners did create some chances with Jadeja and Yadav leaving with two wickets each but the hosts know that their bowling has been very ordinary this series and with experience like Mohammad Siraj on the bench, the question remains as to why he isn’t starting, given the lack of experience on ground. With Prasidh Krishna ruled out of the third ODI due to an injury, Siraj is expected to make a return to the XI.

As ordinary as the bowling was, the batting was extraordinary. Even though the pitch might have been ideal for batting, chasing more than 400 is quite the uphill task and only been achieved once in the history of ODI cricket. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma made sure India got the perfect start and put up an incredible 255 run opening partnership as both got centuries. While Rohit failed to convert his to a big score, Gill made the most of his hundred and scored an unbeaten 223 that saw India ease to an eight-wicket win with more than six overs left! For India, another positive was Ruturaj Gaikwad getting some time in the middle and seeing home the chase with Gill, giving the management a look at him, especially in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. 

West Indies were stellar with the bat, John Campbell demolished the Indian bowling unit, helping West Indies race to 147/1 in 18 overs. Once Campbell fell, captain Shai Hope and the impressive Amir Jangoo cashed in and they took the score to 329 in 40 overs. The Indian spinners pulled things back in the final 10 overs as West Indies knew that they could’ve gotten close to 430-440 if the middle and lower middle order clicked. With the ball, there was nothing for the visitors and apart from Jayden Seales, who bowled his heart out, the other Windies bowlers put up no threat to India and even with 405 in the bank, after the opening 15 overs, it was only a matter of time before India chased down the target. 

Moving to New Chandigarh for the final ODI, the first thought on both team’s minds will be that the pitch provides more of a contest between the bat and ball. This will be the first-ever men’s ODI to take place at the ground, which has largely been used for IPL games up until now. It is also another high-scoring ground with some zip in it for the quicks. We hope there is a closer contest between the bat and the ball but it should be another high-scoring game with the hosts expected to complete the white-wash. 

Fantasy XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Virat Kohli (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Roston Chase, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Winners Prediction: India