The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team is one of the most historic and exciting in international cricket. Spanning several decades, this contest has witnessed the dominance of the West Indies in the early years and the rise of India as a global cricket powerhouse in later decades. Matches between these two teams have been played across Test cricket, One Day Internationals, and T20 formats, producing unforgettable performances and thrilling finishes. The rivalry has featured legendary players, remarkable achievements, and iconic series victories that have shaped the history of the sport. Fans across the world continue to follow these encounters with great enthusiasm. This timeline explores the major milestones, key matches, and defining moments that have shaped the India vs West Indies cricket rivalry over the years.
Latest Matches
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
India Score
West Indies Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (Super 8)
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
1 Mar 2026
West Indies (bat)
199/5 (19.2 ov)
195/4 (20 ov)
India won by 5 wickets
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Sanju Samson (IND)
West Indies tour of India 2025/26 – 2nd Test
Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
10-14 Oct 2025
India (bat)
518/5d & 124/3
248 & 390
India won by 7 wickets
West Indies tour of India 2025/26
Kuldeep Yadav (IND)
West Indies tour of India 2025/26 – 1st Test
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
2-4 Oct 2025
West Indies (bat)
448/5d
162 & 146
India won by innings & 140 runs
West Indies tour of India 2025/26
Ravindra Jadeja (IND)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 5th T20I
Central Broward Park, Lauderhill
13 Aug 2023
India (bat)
165/9 (20 ov)
171/2 (18 ov)
West Indies won by 8 wickets
India tour of West Indies 2023
Romario Shepherd (WI)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 4th T20I
Central Broward Park, Lauderhill
12 Aug 2023
West Indies (bat)
179/1 (17 ov)
178/8 (20 ov)
India won by 9 wickets
India tour of West Indies 2023
Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 3rd T20I
Providence Stadium, Providence
8 Aug 2023
West Indies (bat)
164/3 (17.5 ov)
159/5 (20 ov)
India won by 7 wickets
India tour of West Indies 2023
Suryakumar Yadav (IND)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 2nd T20I
Providence Stadium, Providence
6 Aug 2023
India (bat)
152/7 (20 ov)
155/8 (18.5 ov)
West Indies won by 2 wickets
India tour of West Indies 2023
Nicholas Pooran (WI)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 1st T20I
Brian Lara Cricket Academy, San Fernando
3 Aug 2023
West Indies (bat)
145/9 (20 ov)
149/6 (20 ov)
West Indies won by 4 runs
India tour of West Indies 2023
Jason Holder (WI)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 3rd ODI
Brian Lara Cricket Academy, San Fernando
1 Aug 2023
West Indies (field)
351/5 (50 ov)
151 (35.3 ov)
India won by 200 runs
India tour of West Indies 2023
Shubman Gill (IND)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 2nd ODI
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
29 Jul 2023
West Indies (field)
181 (40.5 ov)
182/4 (36.4 ov)
West Indies won by 6 wickets
India tour of West Indies 2023
Shai Hope (WI)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 1st ODI
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
27 Jul 2023
India (field)
118/5 (22.5 ov)
114 (23 ov)
India won by 5 wickets
India tour of West Indies 2023
Kuldeep Yadav (IND)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 2nd Test
Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain
20-24 Jul 2023
West Indies (field)
438 & 181/2d
255 & 76/2
Match Drawn
India tour of West Indies 2023
Mohammed Siraj (IND)
India tour of West Indies 2023 – 1st Test
Windsor Park, Roseau
12-14 Jul 2023
West Indies (bat)
421/5d
150 & 130
India won by innings & 141 runs
India tour of West Indies 2023
Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND)
Head-to-Head Evolution Table
Decade/Period
Tests (India Wins / WI Wins / Draws)
ODIs (India / WI / NR-Tied)
Overall Trend & Key Highlight
1970s–1980s
5 / 12 / 18
10 / 18
West Indies still strong, but India’s 1971 breakthrough series changes mindset
1990s
6 / 5 / 10
18 / 15
Balance shifts; India starts winning more at home
2000s
8 / 3 / 7
22 / 12
India begins clear ascendancy, especially in limited-overs
2010s
10 / 0 / 5
15 / 8
India dominates at home & away in Tests; explosive T20 battles
2020–March 2026
4 / 0 / 2
7 / 2
India’s golden era — massive margins, high-scoring chases & T20 World Cup thriller in 2026
Overall (All Time)
23–25 / 30 / 47
72 / 64 / 6
India leads in ODIs & T20Is; West Indies historically ahead in Tests but winless since 2002
Top Performances Timeline Table
Year
Format
Player / Team Performance
Match Details & Impact
1971
Test
India’s historic series win in West Indies
First-ever Test series victory in Caribbean – turning point for Indian cricket
2002
Test
West Indies last Test win vs India
Sabina Park, Jamaica – 155-run victory (last WI Test win till date)
2016
T20 WC
West Indies (Carlos Brathwaite)
Famous semi-final heist at Eden Gardens – “Remember the name!”
2023
T20I
India chase 179/1 in 17 overs
2nd T20I, Lauderhill, USA – record-breaking powerplay & middle-order fireworks
2023
ODI
India 351/5 vs WI 151
1st ODI – 200-run thrashing; batting masterclass
2023
Test
India innings & 141-run win
1st Test, Dominica – bowlers demolished WI twice
2025
Test
India dominant home wins (innings victories)
West Indies tour of India – multiple big margins
2026
T20 WC
Sanju Samson 97* off 50 balls
Super 8, Eden Gardens – highest successful World Cup chase for India; clinical 5-wicket win over 195
Biggest Wins & Closest Matches Timeline
Type
Year
Format
Match Result
Margin
Venue / Series
Why It Was Memorable
Biggest Win
2023
ODI
India 351/5 beat WI 151
200 runs
India (Bilateral)
Brutal batting display
Biggest Win
2023
Test
India beat WI by innings & 141 runs
Innings & 141 runs
Dominica
Total bowling dominance
Biggest Win
2019
Test
India beat WI by 257 runs
257 runs
West Indies
Comprehensive away victory
Biggest Win (T20)
2023
T20I
India 179/1 beat WI 178
9 wickets (with 18 balls left)
Lauderhill, USA
Record chase speed
Closest Match
2026
T20 WC
India 199/5 beat WI 195/4
5 wickets (4 balls remaining)
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
High-scoring thriller; Sanju Samson heroics
Closest Match
2023
T20I
WI beat India by 2 wickets
2 wickets
Guyana
WI lower-order miracle
Closest Match
2016
T20 WC
WI beat India by 7 wickets
7 wickets (semi-final)
Eden Gardens
Brathwaite’s last-over heroics
Closest (ODI)
2023
ODI
WI beat India by 6 wickets
6 wickets
India
Rare WI limited-overs upset
Early Encounters and West Indies Dominance (1948–1975)
The first encounters between the India National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team began in 1948 when India toured the Caribbean. During this period, the West Indies were one of the strongest teams in world cricket, with powerful batsmen and a formidable bowling attack. India, still developing as an international side, found it difficult to compete against such a dominant team. Most matches during this era were won by the West Indies, who showcased superior skills and experience. However, Indian players gained valuable exposure and experience by playing against one of the best teams in the world. These early encounters laid the foundation for a long-lasting rivalry. Although results were largely in favor of the West Indies, India showed signs of improvement, setting the stage for more competitive matches in the future.
Year
Series
Venue
Winner
1948
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
1953
Test Series
India
Draw
1962
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
1971
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
India’s Rise and Competitive Matches (1976–1990)
Between the late 1970s and 1990, the rivalry between India and West Indies became more competitive. India began producing talented players capable of challenging the dominant West Indies side. Despite West Indies continuing their dominance in world cricket, India managed to deliver strong performances, especially in home conditions. Matches during this period were intense and often featured close contests. Indian batsmen displayed improved technique and resilience, while bowlers worked hard to counter the powerful West Indies batting lineup. The rivalry gained global attention as both teams played exciting cricket. Although West Indies remained the stronger team overall, India’s gradual improvement made the matches more balanced and entertaining for fans.
Year
Format
Venue
Result
1978
Test
India
India
1983
ODI
World Cup
India
1985
Test
West Indies
West Indies
1989
ODI
India
India
Iconic Matches and Tournament Clashes (1991–2005)
From the early 1990s to the mid-2000s, the rivalry entered a new phase with both teams competing across multiple formats. The dominance of the West Indies began to decline, while India continued to grow stronger. Matches between the two sides became more evenly contested, with both teams achieving important victories. This period featured several memorable matches, including high-scoring ODIs and closely fought Test series. Fans witnessed outstanding performances from players on both sides, making the rivalry more exciting. India’s consistency in batting and improved bowling attack allowed them to challenge the West Indies more effectively. The balance of power started to shift, marking a significant change in the history of this rivalry.
Year
Event
Format
Winner
1992
ODI Series
ODI
India
1997
Test Series
Test
West Indies
2002
Test Series
Test
India
2005
ODI Series
ODI
India
Expansion into T20 and Modern Formats (2006–2015)
The introduction of T20 cricket brought a new dimension to the India vs West Indies rivalry. Both teams adapted quickly to the shorter format, producing exciting and high-scoring matches. India continued to strengthen its position as a leading cricketing nation, while West Indies developed a reputation for explosive batting in T20 cricket. Matches during this period were fast-paced and filled with thrilling moments. The rivalry became more popular among global audiences, especially during major ICC tournaments. Both teams showcased innovative strategies and aggressive gameplay, making their encounters highly entertaining. This era marked the transition of the rivalry into modern cricket, where skill, power, and strategy played crucial roles.
Year
Tournament
Format
Winner
2007
T20 Match
T20
India
2011
World Cup
ODI
India
2014
T20 Event
T20
West Indies
2015
ODI Series
ODI
India
Modern Rivalry and Recent Matches (2016–2025)
In recent years, the rivalry between India and West Indies has remained competitive and entertaining. India has emerged as one of the strongest teams in international cricket, while West Indies continues to produce talented players capable of changing the outcome of matches. Bilateral series and ICC tournaments have featured several exciting encounters between the two sides. Matches often include high scores, powerful hitting, and dramatic finishes. India has generally dominated in recent years, particularly in home conditions, but West Indies has shown resilience and the ability to compete strongly. This period highlights the evolution of the rivalry, with both teams adapting to modern cricket and maintaining a high level of competition.
Year
Series
Venue
Winner
2016
Test Series
West Indies
India
2018
ODI Series
India
India
2019
T20 Series
West Indies
India
2023
Series
India
India
Key Moments and Historic Highlights
The rivalry between India and West Indies has produced several unforgettable moments in cricket history. India’s victory in the 1983 World Cup against the West Indies remains one of the most iconic achievements in cricket. Over the years, both teams have delivered remarkable performances, including record-breaking innings and match-winning bowling spells. The transition from West Indies dominance to India’s rise as a cricketing powerhouse is one of the defining aspects of this rivalry. Fans have witnessed thrilling matches, close finishes, and outstanding individual performances that have contributed to the legacy of this contest. These key moments continue to be remembered as some of the greatest highlights in international cricket.
Highlight
Team
Year
Impact
World Cup Victory
India
1983
Historic
Dominant Era
West Indies
1970s
Control
T20 Success
West Indies
2014
Power
ODI Dominance
India
2018
Modern Era
Conclusion
The timeline of matches between the India National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team reflects a rich history of competition, evolution, and unforgettable moments. From the early dominance of the West Indies to India’s emergence as a leading cricketing nation, the rivalry has undergone significant changes over the decades. Both teams have contributed to some of the most exciting matches in international cricket. As new players continue to emerge and formats evolve, this rivalry will remain an important part of cricket history. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the future, adding new chapters to the legacy of India vs West Indies cricket.
