Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return to India's ODI setup after a two-month gap when Shubman Gill's side takes on West Indies in the first match of the three-game series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

The match, scheduled to begin at 2 pm IST, marks India's return to 50-over cricket and comes at a significant point in the team's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The return of India's two most experienced ODI batters will be the biggest talking point surrounding the series.

Rohit and Kohli last featured in the format during India's 1-2 series defeat to England earlier this year, with Rohit producing a century at Lord's in the series decider.

Their inclusion gives Gill's side considerable experience at the top of the order as India begin another phase of their World Cup planning.

Gill will continue as India's ODI captain, with KL Rahul named vice-captain. The squad also includes Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, while Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel provide younger options.

India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Key points to watch

  1. Rohit and Kohli's return: The experienced duo will be back in India's ODI XI after missing the team's recent international assignments. Their performances will attract significant attention as both remain part of India's plans for the 2027 World Cup.
  2. Gill's leadership: Gill will captain the ODI side as India continue to develop their combination for the next World Cup. The series gives him another opportunity to work with a mix of established players and emerging names.
  3. The top-order combination: With Rohit and Kohli returning and Gill leading the side, India have several possibilities for the remaining batting positions. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are among the players competing for opportunities.
  4. Jadeja's comeback: Ravindra Jadeja returns to the ODI squad after last featuring in the format earlier this year. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds another dimension to India's middle order and bowling attack.
  5. New faces: Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir have earned their maiden ODI call-ups. Their inclusion reflects India's effort to widen the pool of players available ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
  6. West Indies' challenge: Shai Hope will lead a West Indies side featuring players such as Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales.
  7. A long-standing record: West Indies have not won a bilateral ODI series against India since 2006. India have won their last 13 bilateral ODI series against the Caribbean side, while the West Indies last toured India for an ODI series in 2022, when they were beaten 3-0.

For West Indies, the series represents an opportunity to test their ODI group against a strong Indian side in Indian conditions.

Hope remains a key figure in their batting, while Carty, Rutherford and Chase will be expected to provide support in the middle order. Their bowling attack has experienced options in Joseph, Motie and Seales.

India, meanwhile, will have to balance experience with experimentation.

The absence of several regulars has opened opportunities for players such as Gaikwad, Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant are not part of the ODI squad, while some players are away with India's Asian Games contingent.

The conditions in Thiruvananthapuram could also influence India's combination.

With the match beginning in the afternoon, both teams will have to assess how the surface behaves before settling on their bowling combinations.

India's pace attack is expected to revolve around Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, while Kuldeep provides the main specialist spin option.

The series will move to Guwahati for the second ODI on September 30 before concluding in New Chandigarh on October 3. All three matches are scheduled to begin at 2 pm IST.

For India, however, the larger objective extends beyond the three matches.

The team is entering an important period of ODI planning, with the 2027 World Cup approaching. Rohit's experience, Kohli's presence, Gill's leadership and opportunities for the next generation will make this series an important test of how India's ODI combination takes shape.

Probable playing XIs

  • India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
  • West Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c/wk), Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales

The above are probable XIs based on available team news and previews, and should not be treated as confirmed final XIs until the toss.

Match details: India vs West Indies, 1st ODI | September 27, 2026 | 2 pm IST | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.