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India’s T20I captain Shreyas Iyer is set to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies with two different teams potentially playing in two countries at the same time.
The India National Cricket Team’s Asian Games 2026 campaign and the West Indies ODI series are set to clash, depending on how far the Men in Blue go in the multi-nation event in Japan. Earlier, BCCI confirmed India won’t get usual five-star hotels in Asian Games 2026.
2 Indian teams likely to be in action on October 3
The Shreyas Iyer-led Indian national team will begin its Asian Games 2026 campaign from the quarter-final stage on September 28 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, followed by the medal matches on October 3.
On the same day, the Men in Blue are scheduled to play the third and final ODI against the West Indies in New Chandigarh. So, if Shreyas Iyer’s side reaches the Asian Games final, India could have two teams playing at two different venues and in two different countries on October 3.
Shreyas Iyer to miss the West Indies ODIs
The Indian squad is expected to reach Japan next week, with Iyer’s team set to face Japan on September 22. Iyer currently serves as India’s T20I captain and is also the ODI vice-captain. The star batter was named India’s ODI vice-captain in October 2025.
However, Iyer’s Asian Games 2026 commitment means that he will miss the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies at home, despite being an important member of the 50-over setup. Amid this, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets his revenge as tension rises with Tilak Varma.
BCCI expects GOLD from INDIA
BCCI president Mithun Manhas has backed the Indian contingent led by Shreyas Iyer ahead of the Asian Games. He praised the players for their preparation and hard work and believes they have what it takes to compete strongly for the gold medal in the Asian Games 2026.
Manhas also wished the athletes and cricket teams success. The BCCI president was quoted as saying by ANI, "I wish them all the very best, not just the cricket teams, but our entire contingent heading to the Asian Games. I hope they give their best performance.”
He added, “The entire country is behind them, and so are we. I wish them every success and hope they win gold medals and bring glory to the nation. Absolutely, there will be a full effort from the team. Given the hard work they have put in and the enthusiasm within the squad, I am confident they can win gold and make the country proud.”
India’s 15-member squad for Asian Games 2026
India has already announced a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games, with Shreyas Iyer set to lead the team and Tilak Varma named his deputy. The squad includes several experienced names like Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh.
Youngsters Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have also been given the chance to shine on the big stage, alongside Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Harshit Rana in the ranks.
