by The West Indies vs India first ODI is taking place today, September 27, 2026, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The match marks the beginning of a three-match ODI series between the two teams, with India returning to 50-over cricket after its previous ODI assignment against England.
There is plenty of attention around today’s match because Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in the Indian ODI team. Shubman Gill continues to lead the side, while several regular players are unavailable for this series.
West Indies vs India Today Match Details
The first ODI between India and West Indies is being played in Thiruvananthapuram. The match started at 2:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 1:30 PM.
India won the toss and captain Shubman Gill chose to bowl first. Gill said the team wanted to make use of the conditions and bat later under the lights.
The three-match ODI series will continue with the second match in Guwahati on September 30, followed by the third ODI in New Chandigarh on October 3.
India Playing XI for Today’s Match
India have confirmed the following playing XI for the West Indies vs India today match:
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Naman Dhir
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Gurnoor Brar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
Naman Dhir is making his ODI debut in today’s game.
The return of Rohit and Kohli is one of the biggest talking points before the match. Both players last featured for India in the ODI series against England and are now back as India begins another phase of preparation ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Who Is Out of India’s Team?
Several familiar names are missing from India’s ODI setup.
Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan are unavailable for this series because they are part of India’s Asian Games contingent. Hardik Pandya is also not included in the ODI squad, while Rishabh Pant was not selected for the series.
The absence of these players has created opportunities for younger members of the squad. Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi received their maiden ODI call-ups, while Nitish Kumar Reddy was moved from the Asian Games group into the ODI squad.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return
The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is naturally attracting the most attention from cricket fans.
Rohit returns to the ODI side after scoring a century in India’s previous ODI against England. Virat has also remained an important part of India’s recent ODI plans. Their experience gives India two familiar names at the top of the batting order.
At the same time, today’s match gives younger players an opportunity to establish themselves before the 2027 World Cup.
West Indies Playing XI
West Indies captain and wicketkeeper Shai Hope leads the Caribbean side. Their playing XI for today’s match is:
- John Campbell
- Justin Greaves
- Keacy Carty
- Shai Hope (Captain/Wicketkeeper)
- Amir Jangoo
- Jewel Andrew
- Roston Chase
- Matthew Forde
- Gudakesh Motie
- Alzarri Joseph
- Jayden Seales
The West Indies enter the series with Hope and Keacy Carty among their key batting players. Cricket West Indies has highlighted their recent consistency and importance to the team’s batting.
What Makes Today’s Match Important?
The West Indies vs India today match is not just the opening game of another bilateral series. It also gives India an opportunity to test different combinations before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
For West Indies, the opening two ODIs also carry significance in the current World Cup qualification cycle. The team cannot finish high enough to gain automatic qualification and will therefore need to go through the qualification tournament next year.
With experienced players returning for India and new players getting opportunities, today’s ODI provides plenty of storylines to follow.
Conclusion
The West Indies vs India first ODI has brought Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back into India’s ODI setup, while Shubman Gill continues as captain. India have chosen to bowl first after winning the toss, with Naman Dhir making his ODI debut.
With several regular players unavailable, today’s match is also an important opportunity for India’s younger players to make an impression. The series will provide both teams with valuable 50-over cricket as they continue building towards future international assignments.
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