India vs WI 2nd T20I: Motie replaces Forde as West Indies bowl first in Ranchi
Synopsis
West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl under damp Ranchi skies — bringing in spinner Gudakesh Motie for Matthew Forde to press their advantage. India, who also wanted to field first, go in unchanged. With conditions set to worsen through the evening, the team that adapts faster could swing the series.
Key Takeaways
West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first in the 2nd T20I at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on 9 October .
Gudakesh Motie comes in for Matthew Forde — the only change to the West Indies XI.
Captain Shai Hope cited wet conditions that are expected to worsen during the evening as the reason for bowling first.
India captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed an unchanged playing XI and stressed the need to adapt to conditions quickly.
Both captains admitted they preferred to field first, underlining the significance of the toss on this surface.
West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the 2nd T20I of the series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, 9 October. Gudakesh Motie comes in for Matthew Forde as the visitors make their lone change, while India field an unchanged XI under captain Shreyas Iyer.
Why West Indies Chose to Bowl
West Indies captain Shai Hope pointed to damp conditions at the JSCA ground as the decisive factor at the toss. He warned that the surface was only likely to get worse as the evening progressed, making bowling first the logical call.
'We are going to bowl first this time around. We gotta look at the conditions; it's wet and will get worse in the evening,' Hope said at the toss. He also stressed the need to correct errors from the first match: 'Especially against a quality side like India, you can't really give them too many chances.'
The One Change: Motie In, Forde Out
Spinner Gudakesh Motie replaces pace bowler Matthew Forde in the West Indies XI — a selection that signals a greater emphasis on spin to exploit the conditions in Ranchi. Hope noted that the tour rotation was part of a broader plan: 'Everyone's probably going to get a go on this tour.'
India's Stance at the Toss
Captain Shreyas Iyer admitted India had also preferred to bowl first but underscored the team's readiness to adapt. 'We were looking to bowl first as well; we will have to adapt quickly,' Iyer said, adding that the focus remained on 'maintaining standards for 40 overs.' India named an unchanged playing XI from the first T20I.
Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (wk/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph.
Context and What to Watch
This is the second match of the T20I series, with West Indies looking to bounce back after falling short in the opener. The wet Ranchi surface could assist spinners early, favouring both Motie for the visitors and Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav for India. How both sides manage the conditions across 40 overs will likely define the match — and the momentum heading into the remainder of the series.
Point of View
But batting first against a fresh West Indies attack in deteriorating conditions demands a near-perfect powerplay. The real subplot is West Indies' intent to erase mistakes from the series opener: Hope's language at the toss — 'you can't give a quality side like India too many chances' — suggests his side knows exactly where the first match was lost.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the 2nd T20I between India and West Indies in Ranchi?
West Indies won the toss in the 2nd T20I at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on 9 October and elected to bowl first. Captain Shai Hope cited wet conditions that were expected to deteriorate through the evening as the key reason.
What change did West Indies make to their playing XI for the 2nd T20I?
West Indies made one change, bringing in spinner Gudakesh Motie in place of pace bowler Matthew Forde. Captain Shai Hope indicated the decision was influenced by the damp pitch conditions in Ranchi.
Did India make any changes to their playing XI for the 2nd T20I?
No, India fielded an unchanged playing XI for the 2nd T20I. Captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed the same combination that played in the first match, stressing the team's focus on maintaining high standards for all 40 overs.
What did Shreyas Iyer say about batting first in the 2nd T20I?
Shreyas Iyer said India had also preferred to bowl first but stressed the need to adapt quickly to conditions. He said the team's goal was to maintain standards across 40 overs and continue challenging itself to improve.
What are the playing XIs for the India vs West Indies 2nd T20I in Ranchi?
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav. West Indies: Shai Hope (wk/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph.
