India is set to host the West Indies in the opening fixture of a three-match ODI series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. This match marks the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the ODI format for the first time since the tour of England. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the hosts look to maintain their home dominance against a Shai Hope-led West Indies side.
Match Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs West Indies, 1st ODI |
| Series | West Indies tour of India 2026 |
| Date | September 27, 2026 |
| Venue | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Time | 2:00 PM IST |
Team News & Squad Updates
India
Shubman Gill has been cleared fit to lead the side after receiving a blow to his elbow during a practice session. The Indian squad features Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was included due to Hardik Pandya’s fitness rehabilitation. While the batting core is bolstered by the return of Sharma and Kohli, the bowling department will be without Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from a knee injury sustained in England.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar.
West Indies
Shai Hope captains the Caribbean visitors, aiming to improve on their recent series defeat against New Zealand. The West Indies are missing Ackeem Auguste as he continues his recovery from surgery. The attack will rely heavily on Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph to exploit early pace and bounce at the Greenfield International Stadium.
Probable XI: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (C/WK), Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.
Recent Form & Head-to-Head
India: The hosts recently lost an away series to England (1-2) but have been dominant at home, including a 3-0 sweep of Afghanistan earlier in 2026.
West Indies: The visitors come into this series following a 2-3 home series loss to New Zealand and a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in July.
Head-to-Head: In 142 total ODI meetings, India has won 72 matches compared to 64 wins for the West Indies. The last encounter in 2023 saw India secure a 200-run victory.
Pitch & Conditions
The Greenfield International Stadium pitch traditionally assists pacers early on before settling into a consistent batting track. While the historical average first-innings score is 247, a par total for this match is expected to be between 280 and 300. Humidity will be high with a peak of 31°C, and dew could influence the decision at the toss, often making chasing the preferred option.
Suggested Fantasy XI
This XI is selected based on venue conditions and player roles for the opening ODI:
- Wicketkeepers: Shai Hope, KL Rahul
- Batters: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Bowlers: Alzarri Joseph (VC), Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Match Prediction
India enters the 1st ODI as the favorites. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli provides significant middle-order stability and tactical experience to complement Shubman Gill’s captaincy. West Indies have individual threats in Shai Hope and Alzarri Joseph, but their recent struggles in subcontinental-style conditions against spin depth—particularly Kuldeep Yadav—give the hosts a clear advantage. Editorial forecasting suggests India is likely to secure a win and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
