Virat Kohli has arrived in India ahead of the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, with the first match scheduled for September 27 at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Kohli and Rohit Sharma were both expected to join the Indian squad in Kerala on September 23, as the team assembled ahead of the series opener.
The two senior batters are returning to ODI cricket after a two-month break from the format. Both have been named in India’s 15-member squad, which gets under way in just a few days. The Caribbean side, led by Shai Hope, had already arrived in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of the series opener, with both camps now in the host city ahead of the first match.
The series is being played at Greenfield International Stadium, a venue that has hosted international cricket previously and provides a familiar setting for the Indian squad, who have based their preparations there in the days leading up to the opener.
Who is in India’s squad for the West Indies ODI series?
Shubman Gill has been named captain of the Indian side for the series, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir have received maiden call-ups to the ODI squad for this series, adding fresh faces to an otherwise experienced group. Their inclusions reflect the selectors’ intent to assess new options alongside established names as India build their resources ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Kohli and Rohit’s return after a two-month absence gives the batting order considerable depth and experience. Both players will be keen to find their rhythm in the 50-over format, having been away from ODI cricket for a sustained period before this series.
What does this series mean for India’s World Cup preparations?
The India versus West Indies ODI series forms a direct part of India’s preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With the tournament still some time away, the selectors are using this series to assess combinations, give fringe players exposure and allow senior batters such as Kohli and Rohit to re-establish themselves in the format.
The first ODI on September 27 at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will give Gill his first opportunity to lead the side in this series. The captain and vice-captain Rahul will be central to how the hosts manage their batting resources across the matches.
For Nabi and Dhir, the series represents a significant step in their international careers. Maiden call-ups at this level, alongside players of the experience of Kohli, Rohit, Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, offer them a valuable environment in which to develop ahead of what promises to be a competitive World Cup cycle for India.
India squad for West Indies ODIs 2026:
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir.
