West Indies made history on October 12, 2026, during the third T20I against India, becoming the first men’s T20I side to cross the 2,000-six mark in the format. The milestone arrived in a losing cause, as West Indies finished on 209/7 while chasing India’s total of 223, falling short by 14 runs.
Going into the match, West Indies had accumulated 1,997 sixes across their men’s T20I history. Thirteen more followed during the chase, pushing them past 2,000 and into territory no other men’s T20I team had entered before. Multiple batters contributed to the tally throughout the innings.
The achievement reflects a power-hitting culture that West Indies have built over many years, shaped by the likes of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell in the years gone by. The current generation has kept that tradition alive and added a record that stands alone in the format.
How did West Indies bat in the chase?
Shimron Hetmyer was the top scorer for West Indies with 43 off 26 balls, while Kamil Pooran made 42 off 27 deliveries and cleared the boundary three times in a single Naman Dhir over. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 32 runs to keep the chase competitive deep into the innings.
Shamar Springer delivered a striking late cameo, finishing unbeaten on 35 off just 11 balls and hitting four sixes. Despite those efforts in the lower order, West Indies could not bridge the gap and ended on 209/7, 14 runs adrift of India’s 223.
Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler for India, picking up three wickets to earn the Player of the Match award. It was also the first occasion on the tour that India successfully defended a total.
What else happened in the match and what comes next?
India’s innings was anchored by Abhishek Sharma, who struck 69 off 30 balls with five sixes and six fours. Ishan Kishan added a brisk 37 off 18 deliveries. Abhishek’s knock also carried personal significance, as it made him the fastest batter to reach 2,000 runs in men’s T20Is, breaking a world record in the process.
India were themselves sitting on approximately 1,997 sixes after the match, placing them on the verge of the same landmark West Indies had just claimed. The fourth T20I, scheduled for October 14 in Hyderabad, could be the occasion when India reach that mark.
New Zealand are the third-highest six-hitting side in men’s T20Is with 1,585 sixes, leaving them well behind both West Indies and India in the all-time standings.
