The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team is one of cricket’s most historic and evolving contests. From the dominance of the Caribbean giants in the early years to India’s rise as a modern powerhouse, this timeline captures decades of thrilling matches, legendary players, and shifting supremacy across formats.
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)
Head-to-Head Evolution
Format
Matches Played
India Wins
West Indies Wins
Draws / NR / Tied
India Win % (approx.)
Trend / Evolution Highlight
Test
102
25
30
47
24%
West Indies led early; India dominant since 2000s with many innings wins
ODI
142
72
64
6
51%
India edged ahead in last 2 decades with big-margin victories
T20I
31
20
10
1
65%
India clearly superior; explosive chases and bowling strength
Top Performances Timeline
Date / Match
Player
Performance
Format
Match Result
Why It Was Special
Mar 2026, T20 WC Super 8
Sanju Samson (IND)
97 (50 balls)
T20I
India won by 5 wkts
Match-winning knock under pressure to reach semi-finals
Oct 2025, 2nd Test (Delhi)
Kuldeep Yadav (IND)
5/82 (match figures standout)
Test
India won by 7 wkts
Spin wizardry on a turning track
Oct 2025, 1st Test (Ahmedabad)
Ravindra Jadeja (IND)
All-round brilliance + 4 wkts
Test
India won by innings & 140 runs
Controlled the game completely
2013, Test (Kolkata)
Rohit Sharma (IND)
177
Test
India won
Career-defining knock
1988, Test (Chennai)
Narendra Hirwani (IND)
16/136 (match)
Test
India won
Debut sensation — one of the greatest bowling spells ever
2023, T20I series
Suryakumar Yadav (IND)
Multiple explosive 50+ scores
T20I
India series win
360-degree batting masterclass
Biggest Wins & Closest Matches
Category
Margin
Match Details
Format
Year
Winner
Highlight
Biggest Win (Innings)
Innings & 140 runs
1st Test, Ahmedabad
Test
2025
India
Complete demolition in home conditions
Biggest Win (Runs)
200 runs
ODI (historical high)
ODI
Various
India
Massive batting totals posted
Biggest Win (Wickets)
9 wickets
Multiple T20Is
T20I
2023
India
Comfortable chases
Closest Win (Runs)
37 runs
Port of Spain
Test
2002
India
Nerve-wracking defence
Closest Win (Wickets)
2 wickets
T20I (2023 series)
T20I
2023
West Indies
Last-over drama
Closest Win (Overall)
3 runs
ODI thriller
ODI
Various
India
Nail-biting finishes
West Indies Dominance and Early Encounters (1948–1979)
The rivalry began in 1948 when India toured the West Indies for the first time. During the early decades, the West Indies dominated the contests with their powerful batting and fearsome pace attack. India struggled to cope with the aggressive style and fast bowling that defined Caribbean cricket. Matches were often one-sided, with West Indies securing convincing victories both at home and away. This period also saw the emergence of West Indies as a global cricketing powerhouse. India, still developing as a competitive team, used these encounters as learning experiences. Despite the results, these early matches laid the foundation for a long-standing rivalry that would evolve significantly in the coming decades.
Period
Matches
Dominant Team
Key Feature
1948–1965
Test Series
West Indies
Strong Batting
1966–1979
Bilateral
West Indies
Pace Dominance
The Golden Era of Caribbean Supremacy (1980–1995)
The 1980s and early 1990s marked the golden era of West Indies cricket, and their rivalry with India reflected complete dominance. The West Indies team, filled with world-class players, consistently outperformed India in all formats. Their pace attack was considered the best in the world, making it extremely difficult for Indian batters to succeed. India managed occasional wins, particularly in home conditions, but overall, West Indies maintained control. This era highlighted the gap between the two teams, with West Indies setting the benchmark for excellence. However, India continued to grow, slowly building a team capable of competing at higher levels.
Year Range
Dominant Team
Key Strength
Highlight
1980–1987
West Indies
Fast Bowling
Series Wins
1988–1995
West Indies
Consistency
Continued Dominance
India’s Rise and Competitive Shift (1996–2006)
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a shift in the rivalry as India began to emerge as a stronger team. With improved batting depth and a more balanced squad, India started challenging West Indies more effectively. Matches became more competitive, with both teams sharing victories. India’s performances in home conditions improved significantly, while they also began to secure wins overseas. This period marked the decline of West Indies dominance and the rise of India as a competitive force in world cricket. The rivalry transitioned from one-sided contests to closely fought battles, making it more exciting for fans.
Year
Event
Winner
Highlight
1997
Test Series
India
Home Success
2002
ODI Series
Mixed
Competitive Matches
2006
Tour
India
Overseas Win
Memorable Series and Iconic Moments (2007–2016)
Between 2007 and 2016, the rivalry produced several memorable matches and series. India often had the upper hand, especially in bilateral series, but West Indies delivered strong performances in certain games. This period also saw the rise of T20 cricket, adding a new dimension to their encounters. Matches became faster and more entertaining, with high-scoring games and dramatic finishes. Both teams showcased talented players who contributed to exciting contests. The rivalry remained competitive, with moments of brilliance from both sides keeping fans engaged.
Year
Format
Winner
Highlight
2011
Test Series
India
Strong Performance
2013
ODI Series
India
Dominance
2016
T20 Matches
Mixed
High Scores
Modern Era and India’s Dominance (2017–Present)
In recent years, India has emerged as the dominant force in this rivalry. With a strong squad and consistent performances, India has won most bilateral series against West Indies across formats. West Indies, while still capable of producing exciting cricket, has struggled with consistency. Matches have become more competitive in T20 formats, where West Indies’ power-hitting ability shines. However, India’s depth and balance have given them a clear advantage overall. This era reflects the shift in global cricket dynamics, with India leading the rivalry.
Year
Format
Winner
Event
2018
Test Series
India
Dominance
2019
ODI/T20
India
Strong Results
2022–Present
Multi-format
India
Consistent Wins
Legendary Players and Match-Winning Performances
The India vs West Indies rivalry has been shaped by some of cricket’s greatest players. West Indies legends like Viv Richards and Brian Lara dominated early years, while India produced icons such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. These players delivered unforgettable performances that defined matches and series. Their contributions elevated the rivalry, creating lasting memories for fans. Individual brilliance has often been the deciding factor in closely contested games, adding excitement and prestige to this historic rivalry.
Player
Team
Role
Contribution
Viv Richards
West Indies
Batter
Dominance
Brian Lara
West Indies
Batter
Record Runs
Sachin Tendulkar
India
Batter
Consistency
Virat Kohli
India
Batter
Modern Great
Future Outlook and Rivalry Evolution
Looking ahead, the India vs West Indies rivalry continues to evolve with changing formats and emerging talent. India remains a dominant force, while West Indies is rebuilding with young players and focusing on T20 success. Future encounters are expected to be competitive, especially in shorter formats where West Indies excels. The rivalry’s rich history ensures that every match carries significance, even as the balance of power shifts. With new players stepping up, this contest will continue to entertain fans and contribute to the global growth of cricket.
Factor
India
West Indies
Impact
Strength
Balanced
Power-Hitting
Competitive Matches
Form
Consistent
Variable
India Edge
Future
Strong
Rebuilding
Exciting Rivalry
Conclusion
The timeline of the India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team rivalry showcases a journey of transformation and enduring competition. From the dominance of the West Indies in the early decades to India’s rise as a modern cricket powerhouse, this rivalry has evolved significantly over time. Legendary players, memorable matches, and shifting momentum have defined their encounters. While India currently holds the advantage, West Indies’ potential ensures that the rivalry remains exciting. As both teams continue to develop and adapt to modern cricket, this historic contest will keep delivering thrilling moments and remain an important part of international cricket history.
