India will open their 2026-27 home season against the West Indies in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 27 September. The match begins at 2:00 PM IST, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in India colours and Shubman Gill leading the hosts.
The opening game begins a three-match ODI series that will be followed by five T20Is. For India, it is another step in the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. For the West Indies, it is a demanding away assignment and a chance to test players who may carry greater responsibility during the next World Cup cycle.
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India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Match details
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs West Indies, 1st ODI |
| Date | Sunday, 27 September 2026 |
| Start time | 2:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
| India captain | Shubman Gill |
| West Indies captain | Shai Hope |
| TV in India | Star Sports Network |
| Live streaming in India | JioHotstar app and website |
Cricket West Indies lists the start as 4:30 AM Atlantic Standard Time, which converts to 2:00 PM in India. The NDTV fixture page and Indian Express schedule carry the same Indian start time. News18’s broadcast guide lists Star Sports and JioHotstar as the Indian viewing options. Viewers should still recheck their local listings on match day in case the broadcaster changes its pre-match coverage.
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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reunite in India colours
The biggest story before the series is the return of Rohit and Kohli. The pair took part in India’s first practice session at Greenfield International Stadium on 24 September, according to an India Today training report.
Their previous international appearance came in the third ODI against England at Lord’s on 14 July. After more than two months away from the international game, Thiruvananthapuram gives both senior batters a fresh opportunity to settle back into 50-over rhythm.
India Today’s report said Kohli attacked during his net session, including stepping out against Kuldeep Yadav, while Rohit asked Prasidh Krishna to test him with short balls. Practice performances do not guarantee match-day runs, but the details show that both players were preparing for specific challenges rather than simply easing through a light session.
The long-term context is equally important. Gill is now leading an ODI squad that combines established players with first-time selections. Rohit and Kohli remain central to India’s immediate batting plans, while the management must also build depth for the 2027 World Cup. The recent 4xSports report on Rohit Sharma’s World Cup ambitions explains why every ODI appearance matters in that wider selection discussion.
India squad: Two maiden call-ups and a familiar core
The ICC’s India squad announcement confirms maiden ODI call-ups for Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir. Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the national squad, while Ravindra Jadeja is back in the ODI group after last playing the format in January 2026.
India are without some regular white-ball options because the series overlaps with the Asian Games programme. Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishan Kishan are among the names unavailable for the ODI leg. Nitish Kumar Reddy, initially selected for the Asian Games, was moved to the West Indies ODI group.
India ODI squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.
The squad leaves India with several decisions. Gill and Rohit are the natural opening combination, which could place Kohli at No. 3 and KL Rahul in the middle order. The next batting positions are less certain because Gaikwad, Jaiswal, Dhir and Reddy offer different combinations of experience, aggression and bowling support.
West Indies squad: Shai Hope leads a pace-rich group
Shai Hope will captain the visitors in both the ODI and T20I series. The official Cricket West Indies release confirms that John Campbell has returned after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Jewel Andrew replaces Ackeem Auguste, who remains in rehabilitation after surgery. Shimron Hetmyer is not in the ODI squad but is due to join the tour for the T20Is, while Jason Holder has been rested for the trip.
West Indies ODI squad: 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 and Jayden Seales.
The visitors have several fast-bowling options capable of making India’s top order uncomfortable. Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales give Hope genuine pace, while Gudakesh Motie offers left-arm spin through the middle overs. Hope’s own role is vital because he must anchor the batting while also managing the captaincy.
Probable playing XIs for the first ODI
The following combinations are editorial projections, not confirmed line-ups. The official XIs will be announced at the toss.
India probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi.
West Indies probable XI: John Campbell, Jewel Andrew, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.
India could instead bring Yashasvi Jaiswal into the top order or use Naman Dhir to increase flexibility. West Indies may prefer Justin Greaves or Keemo Paul depending on whether the surface demands more batting security or another seam-bowling option.
Greenfield Stadium adds an intriguing backdrop
Thiruvananthapuram has staged only two men’s ODIs before this series. India defeated the West Indies by nine wickets there in November 2018, then beat Sri Lanka by 317 runs in January 2023. The ESPNcricinfo venue results confirm those two fixtures.
The sample is too small to treat the ground as permanently batting-friendly or bowling-friendly. One match produced a comfortable chase after West Indies were dismissed cheaply; the other featured an imposing India total and a one-sided defence. Teams will need to assess the surface and any evening moisture rather than rely only on historical averages.
Three battles that could decide the opener
Rohit Sharma vs the short ball
Rohit’s request for short-pitched practice from Prasidh Krishna suggests that pace through the top half of the innings is part of his preparation. The West Indies quicks can test that area, but an inaccurate bouncer plan could also give him scoring opportunities.
Virat Kohli vs Gudakesh Motie
Kohli’s middle-overs contest with Motie may influence India’s tempo. If the left-arm spinner can control the run rate, West Indies can delay India’s acceleration. If Kohli rotates strike freely, the hosts can preserve wickets without becoming static.
Shai Hope vs India’s spin pair
Hope is the anchor of the West Indies batting order. Jadeja and Kuldeep can force him to score in less comfortable areas and make the visitors’ middle order take greater risks. West Indies need their captain to bat deep enough for Rutherford, Forde and the lower order to play around him.
Full India vs West Indies ODI schedule
| ODI | Date | Venue | Start time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 27 September 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram | 2:00 PM IST |
| 2nd ODI | 30 September 2026 | Guwahati | 2:00 PM IST |
| 3rd ODI | 3 October 2026 | New Chandigarh | 2:00 PM IST |
The T20I leg starts in Lucknow on 6 October and continues in Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Readers can follow India’s other September commitments through the 4xSports Asian Games cricket schedule and the India vs Afghanistan viewing and squad guide.
What is at stake in the series?
India enter as favourites at home and have not lost a bilateral ODI series to the West Indies since 2006, according to Wisden. That history raises expectations rather than removing pressure. Gill’s side must integrate new players, manage an altered bowling attack and give the returning senior batters meaningful game time.
West Indies cannot secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup through these results. Cricket West Indies says the automatic-qualification cycle closes after the second ODI and the team will have to enter the qualification tournament. Head coach Daren Sammy has therefore framed the tour as a chance to improve the ODI group and assess players for bigger roles.
The opener should answer the first important questions: how quickly Rohit and Kohli regain match rhythm, which new India players receive opportunities, and whether West Indies’ fast bowlers can turn a difficult away series into a genuine contest.
CTA: Bookmark this page for confirmed playing XIs, toss news and any late injury update before the first ball. For another current India team update, read the latest 4xSports Asian Games cricket coverage.
