New Delhi: India will begin another phase of their ODI preparations for the 2027 World Cup with a three-match series against the West Indies, starting September 27. The BCCI has named a 15-member squad led by Shubman Gill, with former captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli included in the 50-over side. Ravindra Jadeja also returns to the ODI squad.
The matches are scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and New Chandigarh and will provide the Indian team with an opportunity to assess combinations ahead of next year’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Cricket analyst Aakash Chopra, speaking on JioHotstar’s Follow the Blues, said Rohit and Kohli would remain significant figures in India’s ODI plans, with expectations of consistent batting contributions from the experienced pair.
Jadeja’s return adds another established all-round option. His previous ODI appearance came against New Zealand in January. The competition for all-rounder positions also includes players such as Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in the wider white-ball setup, while Nitish Kumar Reddy offers a seam-bowling option.
Rishabh Pant has been left out of the ODI squad but has been named captain of the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup. His absence from the West Indies series highlights the selectors’ current approach to his role in white-ball cricket.
The squad also includes potential contenders for reserve positions, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir have received their maiden ODI call-ups, adding further depth to India’s options as the team works towards the 2027 World Cup.
