The Complete Schedule
The series kicks off on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, with all three matches scheduled as day-night encounters. The teams will then travel to Guwahati for the second ODI on September 30 before the series concludes in New Chandigarh on October 3.
All matches are set to begin at 2:00 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 1:30 PM IST.
Team India: A Blend of Youth and Experience
Shubman Gill will captain the Indian side, which features the return of veteran stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The squad also includes KL Rahul as vice-captain, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and dynamic youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal. The selectors have also handed maiden call-ups to promising all-rounder Naman Dhir and pacer Auqib Nabi, signalling an eye towards building a team for the future. With a mix of seasoned campaigners and exciting new talent, India will look to leverage its home advantage.
West Indies: The Caribbean Challenge
The visiting West Indies team will be led by the reliable Shai Hope across both the ODI and T20I formats. The squad retains the core group of players from their recent series, focusing on building a cohesive unit. Key players to watch include power-hitters like Sherfane Rutherford and the fast-bowling prowess of Alzarri Joseph. While experienced player Shimron Hetmyer has been given an extended recovery period and will miss the ODI leg, the team is not short on talent. Head Coach Daren Sammy has emphasized the long-term goal of developing a strong core, making this series a crucial test.
Key Players and Matchups
All eyes will be on the new Indian captain, Shubman Gill, as he leads a side featuring the iconic duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their performance will be critical to India's success. For the West Indies, captain Shai Hope's batting and leadership will be pivotal, while the pace of Alzarri Joseph could trouble the Indian top order. Another exciting prospect is young pacer Shamar Joseph, whose performance will be closely watched. The battle between India's formidable batting lineup and the West Indies' explosive but sometimes inconsistent talent promises to deliver compelling cricket.
Series Context and Head-to-Head
This series is a vital part of both teams' preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Historically, India has had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning the last eight consecutive ODIs against the West Indies. Out of 142 total matches played between the two nations, India has won 72, while West Indies has won 64. Despite India's dominant record since 2006, the West Indies remains a dangerous and unpredictable opponent in white-ball cricket, capable of causing an upset on any given day.
How to Watch in India
Fans in India can catch all the live action on the Star Sports Network, which will broadcast the series across its channels. For those who prefer to stream the matches online, the entire three-match ODI series will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
