IND vs WI 1st ODI Playing 11: India will begin their three-match ODI series against West Indies on September 27 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the ODI setup, the biggest question is how India will arrange their top order.
The wait is finally over. India are set to return to ODI cricket when they take on West Indies in the first match of the three-game series on Sunday, September 27.
The game will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, with the first ball scheduled for 2 PM IST. Shubman Gill will lead India in the ODI series, while KL Rahul has been named vice-captain.
But before the toss, one question is dominating the discussion among Indian cricket fans: who will open the innings with Gill?
Yashasvi Jaiswal is part of India’s ODI squad, and his presence naturally makes the opening combination an interesting selection call. However, the latest team developments suggest that Rohit Sharma remains the leading candidate to open alongside Gill, with Jaiswal potentially having to wait for his opportunity.
Rohit or Jaiswal with Gill?
India’s official ODI squad has plenty of batting depth. Gill, Rohit, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul and Jaiswal are all available, giving the team several possible combinations.
Rohit and Kohli have returned to the ODI setup after missing India’s recent white-ball assignments. The two senior stars were also seen together in India’s practice sessions in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of the series.
That makes a Gill-Rohit opening combination the more likely option for the first ODI.
If Rohit opens, Gill will continue in his familiar role at the top, while Kohli is expected to occupy the No. 3 position. This would also allow India to bring experience back into the middle order without unnecessarily changing too many roles.
Jaiswal, meanwhile, could be one of the most interesting players waiting in the wings. His inclusion gives India a left-handed opening option, but getting into the XI may depend on whether the team wants to rotate its senior players or change the batting combination.
So, if you are expecting Gill and Jaiswal to walk out together at the start, don’t be surprised if India go in a different direction.
Virat Kohli at No. 3
Virat Kohli’s return is another major talking point.
The former India captain has been included in the ODI squad and is expected to bat at No. 3, the position that has been closely associated with him throughout much of his ODI career.
With Rohit potentially opening and Gill also at the top, Kohli at No. 3 provides a familiar structure to the batting order.
The bigger selection battle comes after Kohli.
Regular ODI No. 4 Shreyas Iyer is unavailable for this series because he is part of India’s Asian Games setup. That leaves a vacancy in the middle order and gives Ruturaj Gaikwad an opportunity to make his presence felt.
Ruturaj Gaikwad could get the No. 4 role
Ruturaj Gaikwad could be the player asked to fill the gap at No. 4.
Gaikwad is back in the ODI squad and has the ability to play both anchor and attacking roles depending on the match situation. With India potentially having three established top-order batters ahead of him, the No. 4 position could offer him an important opportunity.
One alternative would be to use Jaiswal in the XI and push another batter down the order, but that could make the combination slightly more complicated.
For the opening game, India may prefer a straightforward structure rather than forcing too many players into unfamiliar positions.
KL Rahul to keep wickets
KL Rahul is another player whose role appears relatively clear.
He has been named India’s vice-captain for the ODI series and is expected to take the gloves behind the stumps. Dhruv Jurel is also part of the squad, but Rahul’s experience makes him the likely first-choice wicketkeeper.
Rahul’s presence also gives India flexibility with the batting order. He can play a stabilising role in the middle overs and accelerate when required.
That could make the middle order look something like Kohli, Gaikwad and Rahul before the all-rounders come into play.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja add balance
Nitish Kumar Reddy is another important selection option.
He was initially part of India’s Asian Games plans but was moved into the ODI squad for the West Indies series. That decision gives India an additional pace-bowling all-rounder and strengthens the balance of the XI.
Ravindra Jadeja is also back in the ODI squad after last featuring in the format earlier in 2026. His experience with both bat and ball makes him an obvious candidate for the lower middle order.
If India select both Nitish and Jadeja, the team will have useful depth in both departments.
Kuldeep likely to lead the spin attack
Kuldeep Yadav could be India’s main specialist spinner in the first ODI.
The left-arm wrist-spinner gives India a genuine wicket-taking option through the middle overs and could be particularly important against a West Indies batting lineup that contains several aggressive stroke-makers.
Jadeja could provide the second spin option if conditions demand it, although India’s final combination will also depend on the pitch and the balance they want from the lower order.
Siraj, Prasidh and Gurnoor in the pace attack?
The fast-bowling selection is another fascinating area.
Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the pace attack, while Prasidh Krishna is another strong candidate for the XI. Gurnoor Brar is also part of the ODI squad and could be considered for the third seamer’s position.
India also have Auqib Nabi in the squad, giving the selectors another pace-bowling option.
A combination of Siraj, Prasidh and Gurnoor would give India three specialist fast bowlers, with Nitish potentially providing another seam option.
That would give Gill several bowling choices and reduce the pressure on any one bowler.
India’s predicted playing 11 vs West Indies
Based on the current squad, team news and expected roles, India’s likely XI for the first ODI could be:
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- KL Rahul (wk, vice-captain)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
- Mohammed Siraj
- Gurnoor Brar
Possible alternative: Yashasvi Jaiswal could come into the XI if India decide to give the young opener an opportunity. In that scenario, the team would have to adjust the batting order and decide which player makes way.
India vs West Indies first ODI: match details
The first ODI will be played on September 27 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The match starts at 2 PM IST, with the toss scheduled shortly before the game. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati on September 30, followed by the third ODI in Mullanpur on October 3.
This series is particularly significant because India are beginning their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with Gill leading the side and senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continuing in the ODI setup.
For West Indies, Shai Hope will lead a squad that includes John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford and several young players. The visitors will be looking to challenge India after returning to the country for their first ODI series there since 2022.
So, will India actually open with Gill and Jaiswal? At the moment, Rohit Sharma appears to be the more likely partner for Gill, but the final answer will only come when the playing XIs are announced at the toss.
One thing is certain: with Rohit, Kohli and Gill together in the same ODI lineup, the first match promises plenty of attention even before the first ball is bowled.
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