The stakes have hit the ceiling as India locks horns with West Indies in a crucial T20 World Cup encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens. Both sides are coming off defeats against South Africa, making this a virtual do or-die match to stay alive in the tournament. With heavyweights like Suryakumar Yadav and Jason Holder looking to bounce back, this contest promises fireworks. Fantasy managers must decode the Eden Gardens conditions to create a winning strategy for their Mega Leagues.
Match Details
- Match: IND vs WI, ICC Men's T20 World Cup
- Date: 01 Mar 2026
- Time: 19:00 IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Fans can check the country wise official live streaming and TV broadcast details for this match. To know where you can watch live streaming in your country, visit this complete guide: ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Channels – Country wise Guide
Weather Report
Kolkata is expected to be warm and humid. The temperature will hover around 26°C. The most critical factor for fantasy users is the Dew factor. Heavy dew is expected in the second innings, which will make gripping the ball difficult for bowlers and aid the chasing team significantly. There is negligible Rain impact expected.
Pitch Report & Venue Stats
Eden Gardens is historically a high scoring venue with a lightning fast outfield. The Average Runs in the last 5 matches is a staggering 182, indicating a batting paradise. While Pacers have taken 44 wickets compared to Spinner Wickets (31), the spinners will still play a role in the middle overs. The fantasy takeaway is to stack your teams with top order batters and death over specialists.
Team Form & Head to-Head
India (IND)
- Last 5 Matches: W L W W W
- India suffered a batting collapse against South Africa recently but has won 4 of their last 5 games. Their home dominance remains a key strength.
- Head to-Head: India dominates with 9 wins historically against West Indies.
West Indies (WI)
- Last 5 Matches: L W W W W
- West Indies lost a thriller to South Africa by just 1 run in their last outing. Their batting unit has been explosive throughout the series.
- Head to-Head: They have secured 4 wins against India in past encounters.
Injury Updates & Player Availability
- Harshit Rana is marked as UNAVAILABLE for this fixture.
- Shivam Dube and Suryakumar Yadav are Fully fit and expected to play key roles.
- Jason Holder remains the key all rounder for the visitors.
Probable Playing XI
India
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
West Indies
Brandon King, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph
Key Players to Watch
- Suryakumar Yadav: The master of the short format has smashed 213 runs in this series. His ability to exploit the Eden Gardens dimensions makes him a top captaincy choice.
- Jason Holder: A consistent performer, Holder has taken 8 wickets and scored 104 runs in the series. His death bowling and lower order hitting are vital for fantasy points.
- Shivam Dube: With 158 runs and 5 wickets, Dube provides excellent balance. He is a safe pick for Small Leagues.
- Romario Shepherd: Averaging 98.2 fantasy points per match in this series, Shepherd is in the form of his life with both bat and ball.
Fantasy Picks
Small League Safe Picks
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Jason Holder
- Ishan Kishan
Mega League Differential Picks
- Varun Chakravarthy: With 11 wickets in the series, he is a wicket taking machine. If the pitch grips, he can destroy the opposition lineup.
- Shimron Hetmyer: He has scored 221 runs in the series but is often overlooked. He can be a game changer in high scoring chases.
Match Prediction / Outlook
Given the Dew factor and the high scoring nature of Eden Gardens, the team winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first. India holds a slight edge due to their superior Head to-Head record and home conditions, but West Indies has the firepower to cause an upset.
Disclaimer
This analysis is based on current stats and understanding of the game. Always check the Final Playing XI and Toss updates before locking your fantasy team.