Team India Ready for West Indies ODI Series - Focus on Kohli and Rohit

With just a year to go for the 2027 ODI World Cup, India is set to begin its preparations for the 50-over showpiece with a three-match home series against the West Indies. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already indicated that they intend to play in the 2027 World Cup, putting the spotlight on the two senior batters ahead of the series. While India’s T20 side, led by Shreyas Iyer, is competing at the Asian Games, Shubman Gill’s ODI team is preparing to face the West Indies. The first ODI will be played in Thiruvananthapuram. Kohli and Rohit are set to return to ODI cricket after featuring in the format in England in July.

Rohit Sharma is expected to open alongside captain Shubman Gill, with Virat Kohli likely to bat at No. 3 and Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4. KL Rahul is expected to take the No. 5 spot and keep wickets. India will look to Ravindra Jadeja for an all-round contribution, while Kuldeep Yadav is likely to handle the spin duties alongside him. Nitish Kumar Reddy could provide the pace-all-rounder option, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna sharing the new ball. For the West Indies, captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves and Sherfane Rutherford are among the key players. The Thiruvananthapuram pitch is expected to offer assistance to both batters and bowlers.

Probable Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.

West Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (captain), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph.