Kolkata : ICC ODI World Cup 2027 is nearing, with just little more than 1 year to go. All teams have started preparing for the marquee event. But for India, it’s something more than preparation, this will be the battle to win the coveted for a grand farewell of 2 of their stalwarts – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they gear up for their final chapter in international Cricket. India are set to take on West Indies for 3 match ODI series as “Ro-Ko” are set to return to the field on September 27 for 1st ODI against West Indies.
However, for 10th Ranked West Indies, the battle is a different and much tougher one. While India prepare for World Cup trophy, West Indies will practice for World Cup Qualifications for the third successive time in an ICC event. They’re unable to qualify as they lost to Netherlands and Sri Lanka in 2023 edition when Darren Sammy took over as coach, one of the darkest chapters for 2 times World champion.
India have played three ODI series this year and lost two of them. For various reasons – injuries, focus on the T20 World Cup, which they won – they have struggled to put their first-choice team on the park and are once again without Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, the allrounder who balances the XI and pillar of fast bowing lineup respectively. Back-up allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy – only recently at full fitness himself – might have to get used to bowling his full 10 overs.
Morkel underlined the importance of Reddy developing that long-spell skill.
“It will be great for Indian cricket if we can develop him, keep on developing him and for him to compete for that all-rounder spot. He’s got all the talent and all the ability to do that. Luckily we do have a bit of time now,” said Morkel.
“He always wants to be the guy that wants to create opportunities and having that mindset is fantastic.
“For us it’s just again important to manage him quite well, to give him quite a simple role in terms of what he needs to go and do for the team,” he added.
West Indies have not won a bilateral 50-over series against India since 2006, and in India since 2002. The Men in Blue has won 13 bilateral series against West Indies since 2006 – record in itself.
From the West Indies perspective, they should forget the disappointment of losing back-to-back home ODI series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka by close margins.
They are also dealing with a recent 25 per cent pay cut announced by Cricket West Indies to bring in “financial stability.”
Virat Kohli is 59 runs short of 15000 in ODIs and given he averages 66.50 against West Indies, there is a decent chance of history being made in Thiruvananthapuram.The way both Kohli and Rohit batted fluently for some 20 minutes at the nets here on Friday evening could be taken as a sign of their hunger.
Then there are pacers like Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi who have been impressive at various levels of late.
But they are still a few miles away from being finished products, and that makes it mandatory for them to have more real match experience under their belt.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel too stressed on that point the other day, and Brar would also certainly want to improve his economy rate which at present hovers around seven.
Virat and Rohit Batted in nets with long sessions, side ons for 2 days. There’re buzz around Rohit’s retirement previously but he shut all down with Century at Lord’s. The duo will be keen to continue their purple patch in the ODI format and make their presence felt against the West Indies on the big stage.
The first ODI at Greenfield International Stadium of Thiruvananthapuram was in 2018 played between these 2 teams. 5 years later, Kohli scored 166* while Gill smashed 116 vs Sri Lanka as India recorded their 317 runs win, largest ever in ODI.
This series will be another great battle between 2 sides who’ve contractions in battle in front but inconsistent form.
Currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC ODI batting rankings, Gill will aim to lead the side from the front and provide the Men in Blue with strong starts.
Venue :
Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Time :
2:00 PM
India vs West Indies head-to-head in ODI cricket
India and the West Indies have faced each other 142 times in ODIs, with the Men in Blue holding the upper hand in the rivalry with 72 wins compared to the West Indies’ 64. Two matches ended in a tie, while four produced no result.
The last time India faced the Windies in an ODI series was in 2023, when they outclassed the hosts 2-1 in the three-match series. The Men in Blue will be aiming to continue their dominance over the Caribbeans and take home the series.
Team News :
India –
India captain Shubman Gill is fit to play after taking a blow to the elbow in the nets. Several first-choice players are with the T20I side at the Asian Games, including Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to fill up the No 4 vacant slot of Shreyas Iyer.
West Indies –
West Indies didn’t practice much as they took fields in only 1 of the evening. There’re no injury issues. They didn’t practice with much intensity but eased their way. T20
Sherfane Rutherford will miss the opening ODI due to a personal matter, according to the CWI. He is expected to join the squad ahead of the second match. In his pace Amir Jangoo could get a game. The Batting is dependent on Shai Hope.
Weather and Pitch Report :
The Greenfield International Stadium has hosted two previous ODIs. As small a sample size as that is, it is still the ground with the third-best bowling average (25.35) for seamers in India. West Indies were undone by spin when they played here in 2018, bowled out for 104 with Ravindra Jadeja picking up four wickets. There is minimal threat of rain in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. On Friday it remained hot and humid where India opted out of practice. Morne Morkel confirmed that apart from tough phase with new Ball, it will be good conditions for Batters.
India vs West Indies ODI series 2026 squads :
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
West Indies: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales
Where to watch India vs West Indies series 2026 live
The India vs West Indies ODI series 2026 will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network’s TV channels. Live streaming of the IND vs WI ODI series 2026 will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
