India are set to take on the West Indies in the third T20I of the five-match series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, October 11. The series is tied at 1-1 after the visitors sealed a thrilling six-wicket victory in a chase of 250, courtesy of skipper Shai Hope’s unbeaten century.
With the stakes heightened after the Windies’ victory, India return to the Holkar Stadium, where they have a favourable record. In the four T20I matches India has played at the venue, they have won three and lost one. The stadium hosted its first-ever T20I match on December 22, 2017, and the most recent T20I at the venue was played on January 14, 2024. India emerged victorious in both matches.
The clash between India and West Indies will be the first T20I match at the venue in over two years. India will be looking to extend their favourable record at Holkar Stadium, which is known for its consistent pitch and shorter boundaries. This would make the venue favourable for the hard-hitting batters of both teams, in a match that is anticipated to be a run-fest.
What happened in India’s four T20Is at Holkar Cricket Stadium?
Holkar Cricket Stadium hosted its first men’s T20I on December 22, 2017, when India faced Sri Lanka. The hosts sealed an 88-run victory, as they put on a mammoth total of 260/5 courtesy of a century from captain Rohit Sharma, who also shared a 165-run opening stand with KL Rahul. It was Sri Lanka once more who played at this venue against India on January 07, 2020, where they were beaten by seven wickets. They were restricted to a total of 142 for 9 in their innings, which India chased down with seven wickets in hand.
The Men in Blue faced their only loss at the venue against South Africa on October 04, 2022. Rilee Rossouw‘s unbeaten century took the Proteas to a total of 227 for 3, with India being bundled out for 178, losing by 49 runs. January 14, 2024 saw India seal a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan. They bundled the Afghan side out for 172, before chasing the total down courtesy of half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube.
What are some of the notable performances at Holkar Stadium in T20Is?
Rohit shattered records during his brilliant century at the venue in 2017. His 35-ball hundred was then the joint-fastest T20I hundred, alongside South Africa’s David Miller, and the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter at the time. He hit 12 fours and ten sixes as he raced to 118 off just 43 balls, an innings etched in folklore. Rossouw’s 48-ball hundred for South Africa made him the second centurion at the venue, hitting seven fours and eight sixes in the knock.
Yuzvendra Chahal‘s spell of 4 for 52 in 2017 remains the best figures at the venue. The leg spinner is the only bowler to take four or more wickets in an innings at the venue. Shardul Thakur’s figures of 3 for 23 in 2020 follow Chahal’s as the next best spell by a bowler. South Africa’s Dwaine Pretorius took 3 for 26, which still remains the best figures by an overseas bowler at the venue.
India’s T20I record in Indore
| Matches Played | 04 |
| Wins | 03 |
| Losses | 01 |
| Tie/NR | – |
| Highest total | 260/5 |
| Lowest total | 144/3 |
| Win percentage | 75% |
