IND vs WI 2026: Why is Kuldeep Yadav not playing in the 4th T20I?

Kuldeep Yadav is not part of India's Playing XI for the fourth T20I against West Indies in Hyderabad on October 14, 2026. This is his second consecutive absence in the series, having featured in the first two T20Is before being dropped for the third game in Indore on October 11.

IND vs WI: Toss Update

India are unchanged from the third T20I for this match. Captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed the decision at the toss, where he elected to field first. He spoke of being able to chase on a relaid surface, which would play consistently throughout.

West Indies captain Shai Hope also expressed his desire to bowl first, stating that no total put up would feel safe on the new surface. He confirmed two changes to his side, with Jewel Andrew and the returning Romario Shepherd coming in for Kamil Pooran and Quentin Sampson.

IND vs WI: Kuldeep Yadav's absence: what was confirmed at the toss

At the third T20I toss in Indore, Iyer had cited the desire for a yorker-bowling option and the small, batting-friendly conditions at Holkar Stadium as the reasons behind Kuldeep's exclusion at that point. Prince Yadav, a right-arm fast bowler, replaced Kuldeep in the third T20I and retains his place in the unchanged fourth T20I XI. Kuldeep had taken 2/33 from four overs in the first T20I. In the second T20I, he returned figures of 1/53 from four overs in a match where India failed to defend a total of 250.

IND vs WI: What did the captains say?

Shreyas Iyer, India Captain:

"We are going to bowl first.Yes, it's a re-laid surface, that's the reason why we want to have a fair idea about how the wicket is going to play in the first innings. So based on that we took this decision. Ya, he said that the wicket is 75% red and 25% black. We have played in such wickets before but obviously looking at the conditions and dew not coming into play, it is going to be a little bit of intense. There is going to be bounce as well to offer. I saw the wicket and it looks hard. Yes definitely. It will be a decisive game for us. We need to be in that mind frame where we can't get complacent because we know how destructive team West Indies are. They have got a power packed line-up till Number 9. So, putting these thoughts in mind, I feel we need to be in that headspace and look to win each sessions. Yes, absolutely. I think the emotions and the calmness that we maintained throughout the last game was top notch and that's what we want to replicate tonight as well. We are going with the same team."

Shai Hope, West Indies Captain:

"Yes, similar reason to that of Shreyas. It is a must win game. To give ourselves a chance in this series, we have to try and pull this one back. We have been having some pretty close games in this series. That means that we have been doing some good things. Just about trying to do 1% better so we can get over the line. As long as we lay the foundation, it is going to give us a best chance. When you play in these conditions, you never feel as if you have enough on the board. So it is about just being very clear with how you want to go about it. Lets see how the surface is in the beginning and then, keep the communication going. We will have to wait and see. Looks good but you never know. We'll have to wait to see the first couple of balls and see how exactly it is going to play like. Just got to be open-minded and be clear with our plans and where we want to formulate those runs. 2 changes. Kamil Pooran is out. Jewel Andrew comes in for his first game on the tour. Also, Shepherd is back for Sampson."

IND vs WI: Playing XIs for the 4th T20I in Hyderabad

India

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.

West Indies

Shai Hope (C & WK), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Roston Chase, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.