India vs West Indies prediction: India tipped to edge it (71.3%)
India enter the third T20I as strong favourites after West Indies pulled off a record chase in Ranchi.
India host West Indies at Holkar Stadium in Indore for the third T20I on a tour that has already seen one side post a record total and the other chase it down. The visitors stunned the hosts in the second match with Shai Hope's unbeaten 102, yet the overall numbers still point to a home side that retains the upper hand in the series.
Series position after Ranchi
West Indies levelled the series at 1-1 with their six-wicket win in Ranchi, where they reached 252 to chase down India's 249. That result followed an opening match that India had taken, leaving the remaining fixtures to decide the outcome of the tour.
India's recent results show inconsistency in the shorter format under Gautam Gambhir, according to Shane Watson. The side has mixed wins and losses across recent T20 outings, while West Indies arrive with fresh confidence from their highest successful chase against this opposition.
Availability and selection
Line-ups remain unconfirmed at this stage. Reports note Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the T20I squad as part of an approach that mixes experience with newer players, though the final XI will be set closer to the match.
BCCI records show the Centre of Excellence treated 32 top cricketers for soft-tissue issues in the past year, underlining the emphasis on fitness management ahead of the Indore fixture.
Where the numbers point
Our projection gives India a 71.3% chance of victory and West Indies 28.7%, with the draw probability listed at zero. Those figures mark the hosts as strong favourites on home soil despite the recent loss.
The probabilities reflect India's greater depth across the batting and bowling units over a full series, even when one high-scoring game went against them. West Indies will need another standout individual performance to repeat the Ranchi result on a different pitch.
Match outlook
India to win at 71.3% remains the clearest call, driven mainly by the home side's superior resources across the squad. The main risk lies in another explosive innings from a West Indies batter that again overturns the expected result. Markets on the total runs align with the projection by pricing in another high-scoring contest at Indore.
Reporting referenced: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports.