The India National Cricket Team Timeline vs West Indies Cricket Team timeline covers one of international cricket’s most interesting rivalries through their first-ever meeting in a Test match in 1948. India were only in the process of becoming a Test nation and facing them for the first time were a robust West Indies outfit containing Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott among others. They ended the first Test, played at Delhi in November 1948, as a draw and lost the five-match series 1–0 to West Indies.
That rivalry changed dramatically over the decades. West Indies could lay claim to supremacy for much of the 1970s and 1980s, while India enjoyed notable victories in the West Indies, before famously defeating them in the 1983 World Cup final. India has overall better records in limited-overs cricket. The last major men’s fixture between them was in the 2026 T20 World Cup where India beat West Indies by five wickets in Kolkata.
India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline
India vs West Indies Cricket Rivalry Overview
India vs West Indies cricket history goes beyond bilateral series. It is a representation about the shifting balance of power in international cricket.
The Caribbean side had quite a few world-class players even in 1948–49 when West Indies toured India. India however, was finding its first major international success having only made their Test debut in 1932.
It is safe to say that the West Indies dominated the early years. India steadily grew more powerful as well, particularly through the 1960s, and relations between New Delhi and Islamabad took a crucial turn in 1971.
The tour of West Indies in 1971 was remembered for a historic 1−0 Test-series victory for India. Gavaskar amassed 774 runs at an average of 154.80 in the series, while Dilip Sardesai also put up a big number with 642 runs of his own.
The `83 World Cup, which again paved the way for yet another defining chapter. The nascent Indian side overcame the defending champions West Indies by 43 runs at Lord’s to arrive at their first World Cup crown.
India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline
Here is a chronological India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline covering the rivalry’s most important periods.
| Year/Period | Major Event | Why It Matters |
| 1948–49 | West Indies toured India for a five-Test series | Beginning of the Test rivalry |
| 1948 | First Test played in Delhi | Match ended in a draw |
| 1950s | India and West Indies continued regular Test encounters | West Indies remained the stronger side |
| 1960s | India became increasingly competitive | India’s Test cricket developed rapidly |
| 1970–71 | India toured West Indies | A historic turning point |
| 1971 | India won the Test series 1–0 | India’s first Test-series victory in the Caribbean |
| 1971 | Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 runs | One of Test cricket’s greatest debut-series performances |
| 1970s–80s | West Indies entered a dominant era | Caribbean cricket became a global powerhouse |
| 1983 | India defeated West Indies in the World Cup final | India won its first ODI World Cup |
| 1990s | Rivalry became more competitive | India strengthened in ODIs |
| 2000s | More regular multi-format encounters | India became increasingly dominant |
| 2016 | West Indies defeated India in T20 World Cup semifinal | One of the great modern T20 matches |
| 2019 | India toured West Indies | India won strongly across the tour |
| 2023 | India toured West Indies | Tests, ODIs and T20Is were played |
| 2025 | West Indies toured India for Tests | India won both Tests |
| 2026 | India beat West Indies in T20 World Cup Super Eight | India won by five wickets |
| Sept–Oct 2026 | West Indies scheduled to tour India | Three ODIs and five T20Is are scheduled |
1948: The Beginning
The inaugural India-West Indies Test was played at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi from 10–14 November 1948. The match was drawn. Clyde Walcott (152) and Everton Weekes (128) were others who contributed for West Indies.
West Indies went on to win the fourth Test and the wider five-Test series 1–0. The other four matches ended in a draw.
1950s: West Indies Hold the Advantage
Both teams had excellent infrastructures in the early days, and cricketing icons that were born out of the West Indies.
India were competitive nevertheless, but could not beat the Caribbean side regularly. It was the experience garnered from playing against West Indies batsmen and bowlers that, in fact, helped Indian cricket grow as a wholesome entity.
1960s: India Starts Moving Forward
The decade of the 1960s can be seen as a period of growth in India. Quality spinners coming through and substantial batsmen were making it a lot harder to beat India.
This time set in place India’s first overseas wins when the next decade began.
1983: The World Cup Turning Point
Dedicated to the India Vs West Indies World Cup Final in 1983, undoubtedly the most memorable match between these two rivalries.
India was dismissed for a paltry 183 which appeared to give West Indies an uncomplicated target. However, Kapil Dev’s men put up an exceptional bowling display and bowled out West Indies for 140 to win by 43 runs.
Then facing Kapil Dev, Richards played a pull shot which was hit like the wind but Kapil managed to take the catch in what became one of the unforgettable moments of that match.
It was India’s first World Cup title and denied the West Indies a third straight championship
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India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Head-to-Head Record
Head-to-head figures can change whenever the teams play, so the following snapshot reflects the men’s international record through the latest completed matches available in the current period.
| Format | Matches | India Wins | West Indies Wins | Other Results |
| Tests | 102 | 25 | 30 | 47 draws |
| ODIs | 142 | 72 | 64 | 2 ties, 4 NR |
| T20Is | 31 | 20 | 10 | 1 NR |
The Test figures include the two-match 2025 series, while the T20I figures include India’s five-wicket victory over West Indies in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
This creates an interesting contrast: West Indies still lead the historical Test head-to-head, while India lead the ODI and T20I contests.
For statistical verification, ESPNcricinfo’s Statsguru provides searchable international records across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
India vs West Indies Test Cricket History
This rivalry has its strongest roots in Test cricket.
West Indies were seen as the more compelling team after their first series in 1948–49. India slowly started doing better after that but the Breakthrough came in 1971.
That win in 1971 was all the more significant because it proved India could beat a heavyweight nation overseas. The star of the success was backed up by Gavaskar batting and Sardesai contributions along with the spin attack of India.
The rivalry continued to remain relevant into the 1970s through to the 1980s. The Indian batsmen were made to look foolish by the West Indies’ fast-bowling attack, while on slow pitches, Indian spinners were sometimes match winners.
In the 21st century, that ratio drastically changed. India emerged as a powerhouse in Test cricket, while West Indies struggled to march another generation of consistent cricketers like their illustrious forebears.
Note: This article was written before the most recent Test series which took place in India in 2025. India won a Test by an innings and 140 runs in Ahmedabad followed by a seven-wicket win in Delhi
India vs West Indies ODI History
The ODI rivalry began concurrently with the expansion of one-day cricket.
The 1983 World Cup is the biggest landmark133,134. This is how much India’s cricketing fortunes swung in favour of the hosts after losing the opening group-stage encounter before going on to beat West Indies in the final.
In the ensuing decades, this led to increasing success for India in the ODIs. The likes ofSachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni,Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma tell the narrative behindIndiaslimited-overs growth.
The West Indies, however, retained its supply of high-octane talents: Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the top end and waves of big- hitting white-ball specialists to follow.
Thus, the ODI rivalry is a union of India’s near eternal consistency and West Indies tradition of playing aggressive cricket.
India vs West Indies T20I History
The T20I chapter is considerably fresh compared to the Test and ODI rivalry.
Over the years India and West Indies have played in a few memorable T20 matches including the 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal.
India scored 192/2, when West Indies six without success. Lendl Simmons also contributed significantly and Andre Russell wrapped up the chase with his big hitting. Describing the match themselves, Russell had later said that it was one of the proudest matches of his international career.
In the 2023 T20I series in the Caribbean and USA, West Indies won the series 3–2.
Their most recent marquee men’s T20I duel came at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
India vs West Indies World Cup Matches
The World Cup has produced some of the rivalry’s most memorable encounters.
| Year | Stage/Context | Result | Key Moment |
| 1983 | Final | India won by 43 runs | India defended 183 and won their first World Cup |
| 1983 | Group stage | West Indies won | Defending champions defeated India |
| 1992 | Group stage | West Indies won | Caribbean side continued its strong World Cup record |
| 1996 | Group stage | India won | India advanced strongly in the tournament |
| 2011 | Group stage | India won | India continued its successful home World Cup campaign |
| 2019 | Group stage | India won | India remained unbeaten in the group stage |
The 1983 final stands above all others because it changed the trajectory of Indian cricket. ICC records the final score as India 183 and West Indies 140, with India winning by 43 runs.
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India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline
Most Memorable India vs West Indies Matches
1. 1971 West Indies vs India Test Series
The 1–0 series victory for India in the Caribbean was a turning point. It was Gavaskar’s 774 runs that made the series memorable.
2. 1983 World Cup Final
The defining match in the rivalry, remains India’s 43-run victory over West Indies at Lord’s.
3. 2016 T20 World Cup Semifinal
They chased down India’s target (193 runs) and marched through to the final against West Indies. The late-intensity from Andre Russell was the highlight of this match.
4. 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eight
India won the decisive Eden Gardens test by five wickets against West Indies. West Indies 195/4 (50); India 199/5 (19.2) Sanju Samson also scored 97 not out in 50 balls.
Key Players in India vs West Indies Cricket History
India’s Greats
Here are a few Indian players that have played key roles in this rivalry:
- Sunil Gavaskar – The legendary opening batsman, this has to be the most iconic debut series of all time with 774 runs at an average of 154.8 in just 4 innings back in 1971!
- Kapil Dev – The captain who took India to World Cup glory in 1983
- Mohinder Amarnath (most important player in 1983 final)
- Sachin Tendulkar – One of the greats himself, arguably India’s greatest batsman and a major part of the modern rivalry.
- Virat Kohli – Test & ODIs dominator
- Rohit Sharma – one of the key batsmen in modern day limited-overs cricket.
- Match-winning 97* against West Indies at the 2026 T20 World Cup Sanju Samson –
West Indies Greats
West Indies have also produced generations of legendary cricketers:
- Gary Sobers
- Everton Weekes
- Clyde Walcott
- Clive Lloyd
- Viv Richards
- Malcolm Marshall
- Michael Holding
- Brian Lara
- Chris Gayle
- Andre Russell
Their contributions helped make West Indies one of the most influential cricketing sides in international history.
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India vs West Indies Major Cricket Records
Some of the most important statistical and historical records include:
Gavaskar’s 774 Runs in 1971
First Test series – West Indies (774 runs @ 154.80) Sunil Gavaskar was introduced to the international arena in a test against West Indies as an 18-year-old and he made sure that they would never forget him shorty after, racking up over 700+runs at a whopping average of156! The act instantly marked him as an international superstar.
India’s 1983 World Cup Victory
The first two editions of the tournament had seen West Indies dominate but India snapped the Caribbean’s success by 43 runs in the final in 1983.
2026 T20 World Cup Chase
The second-highest score in an IPL final is 97 off 50 balls from Samson, as he led India to 199/5 against West Indies at Kolkata. At the time, the ICC noted it was also the most runs scored by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase.
Test Head-to-Head
Notably, West Indies enjoy a lead over India in their all-time head-to-head Test record, with 30 wins over the modern-day dominant nation in the latest available 102-Test record from October 2023.
India vs West Indies Recent Matches
The rivalry continued across all formats into the 2020s.
India in particular had a thorough victory in the Caribbean during Series 1 with both Tests ending within 4 days, and they then secured another comfortable home series (3-0) in Series 2 which ended early this year.
2023 five-match T20 series won 3–2 to West Indies Then, just seven months later in the next significant T20 World Cup meeting between the two sides, India overturned that result when they defeated West Indies by five wickets in Kolkata in March 2026.
The match in T20 World Cup 2026 had been especially crucial since whoever triumphed booked the last semifinal berth. Samson’s 97* saw India take 199/5 in just 19.2 overs as West Indies posted a total of 195/4.
India vs West Indies Upcoming Matches 2026
The next major bilateral chapter is scheduled for India’s 2026–27 home season.
According to the BCCI, West Indies are scheduled to tour India beginning 27 September 2026, with three ODIs followed by five T20Is.
ODI Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 27 September 2026 | 1st ODI | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 30 September 2026 | 2nd ODI | Guwahati |
| 3 October 2026 | 3rd ODI | New Chandigarh |
The BCCI has officially listed these three ODIs.
T20I Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 6 October 2026 | 1st T20I | Lucknow |
| 9 October 2026 | 2nd T20I | Ranchi |
| 11 October 2026 | 3rd T20I | Indore |
| 14 October 2026 | 4th T20I | Hyderabad |
| 16 October 2026 | 5th T20I | Bengaluru |
The five-match T20I leg is also listed by Cricket West Indies and forms part of the official 2026/27 tour schedule.
Why India vs West Indies Is an Important Cricket Rivalry
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India were still fresh off from the construction sites of Test cricket while West Indies dominated opposite ends. This series in 1971 displayed India’s capacity to win overseas, struggling against a quality opposition.
India and Pakistan’s relationship in ODI cricket was then altered by the 1983 World Cup final. India’s dramatic win over the reigning champions became a defining moment of Indian sport.
The competition subsequently shifted to the contemporary white-ball period,India due to their depth and consistency have a typically decisive upper hand but West Indies still possess players able to deliver explosive one-man match-winning performances.
It is that contrast that continues to make their encounters interesting – India a team with solid structure and consistency against West Indies who have traditional attacking instincts.
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FAQs – India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline
1. When did India and West Indies first play each other?
The India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline began in 1948 when the two teams played their first Test match in Delhi, which ended in a draw.
2. When did India first beat West Indies in a Test series?
The India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline reached a major milestone in 1971 when India defeated West Indies 1–0 in a five-Test series in the Caribbean.
3. When did India defeat West Indies in a World Cup final?
A key moment in the India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline came in 1983, when India defeated West Indies by 43 runs at Lord’s to win their first World Cup.
4. Who scored 774 runs against West Indies in 1971?
Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 runs in the 1971 series, making this one of the most remarkable achievements in the India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline.
5. What was India’s memorable T20I match against West Indies?
The 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal is one of the most memorable matches in the India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline, with West Indies winning a thrilling run chase.
6. Who leads the India vs West Indies cricket rivalry?
The overall advantage varies by format, making the India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline particularly interesting: West Indies have the historical edge in Tests, while India have generally led in ODIs and T20Is.
7. What is the latest chapter in the India vs West Indies timeline?
The India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline includes India’s five-wicket victory over West Indies in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, adding another important chapter to the rivalry.
Conclusion
The India National Cricket Team timeline vs West Indies Cricket Team timeline represents the history of our changing times of favour from one cricketing power to another. West Indies dominated initial phases in the late 1940’s through India’s monumental series win of 1971 to the unforgettable World Cup final in 1983 and now quick T20 matches growing all these years.
West Indies naturally have the advantage in their historical Test rivalry, while India has actually fared better in ODIs and T20Is. India’s five-wicket victory, built on Sanju Samson then scoring 97*, just added another evocative anecdote as the two sides faced off in October 2023 for the first time since their meeting at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
It also saw the long-standing rivalry between then ODI-only Australia and event hosts England get through an eight-match white-ball series in India over September and October 2026.
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