After a heavy drubbing at the hands of South Africa in their Super 8 opener, India have an opportunity to keep their title-defense alive with a semifinal berth up for grabs when they take on West Indies at the Eden Gardens on March 1. Both teams are locked on two points from their opening two games, turning this clash into a virtual quarterfinal with the winner joining the Proteas in the knockout round.
Since the tournament's inception in 2007, no team has successfully defended the T20 World Cup crown. Also, in the 19-year history of the tournament, no host nation has lifted the Men's T20 World Cup on home soil. If India want to break both those trends, they'll have to start by beating a spirited West Indies unit who are looking to make the semifinal stage of the tournament for the first time since lifting the title in 2016.
While cricket will always remain a team game, here are the top five Windies threats that India will have to look out for and neutralise at the Eden Gardens in this do-or-die clash.
1) Shimron Hetmyer:
Hetmyer has been West Indies' most effective batter this tournament, leading their run charts with 221 runs in six matches. It's not only the volume of runs he scores, but his strike rate of 182 underlines the speed at which he alters games.
ALSO READ | The Changing Guard: From Gujarat To J&K, First-Time Champions In Ranji Trophy Over The Past Decade
At Eden Gardens, Hetmyer has already shown both sides of his game. He struck 64 off 36 against Scotland in a Player of the Match performance but managed just 1 run against Italy on his next visit. He managed just 2 against South Africa which could suggest vulnerability, but it also sharpens his intent to get back among the runs.
Hetmyer is the tournament's second-highest six-hitter with 17 maximums to his name and India's challenge will be to disrupt his rhythm before he gets going.
2) Shai Hope:
If Hetmyer provides tempo, Shai Hope brings solidity, providing the base for a team full of big-hitters to build from. With 185 runs in the tournament, he has provided the Windies with control in the middle-overs.
Hope was West Indies' Player of the Match against Italy at this venue, scoring 75 off 46 balls. His contribution in a low-scoring game was a reminder that he can adapt brilliantly to slower surfaces. On black soil, where grip increases as the game progresses, his ability to rotate strike becomes critical. India will need to ensure he doesn't settle in and provide the Windies with a base from which to accelerate.
3) Jason Holder:
Holder brings with him experience and composure in high-stakes scenarios. A member of West Indies' 2016 T20 World Cup-winning side, he adds control with the ball and lower-order value with the bat.
He recently reached 300 international caps and became the first West Indian to claim 100 T20I wickets, milestones that reflect his longevity and reliability.
At Eden Gardens, where variations into the pitch have proven effective, Holder's cutters and hard lengths could prove decisive at the death. As could his long levers that he uses to devastating effect when looking to accelerate with the bat.
4) Matthew Forde:
The 23-year-old has been the breakout bowler of the Windies' World Cup campaign. With an economy rate of 6.06, he has combined discipline with wicket-taking threat.
In Kolkata earlier this tournament, Forde dismantled Italy's top order with figures of 3/19, striking twice in the powerplay and once again at the death. With India's openers opting to step on the gas right from the outset, Forde will be crucial for the West Indies to get those early breakthroughs and help control the powerplay.
5) Romario Shepherd:
Shepherd provided a reminder of his qualities as a finisher, finding form against South Africa in the last game, scoring an unbeaten 52 off just 37 balls to help his team recover to a decent total. He also has six wickets underlining his value in both departments.
On a surface that may slow under lights, Shepherd's cross-seam variations could become particularly relevant. If the match stretches into a high-pressure final phase, his overs at the death or his finishing with the bat will be factors that India will have to look out for.
ALSO READ | Freaky February 2026: When AI Panic, Tariff Shocks And Cricket Euphoria Collided
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.