India will look to continue their strong run in T20 cricket when they take on West Indies in the opening match of the five-game T20I series in Lucknow. The hosts enter the series with plenty of confidence after winning gold at the Asian Games in Japan, while West Indies will be hoping to carry the momentum from their impressive performance in the third ODI. The first T20I is also expected to provide India with an opportunity to settle their combination at the top of the batting order, with the availability of young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi adding an interesting selection dilemma. India face a selection call at the top India's Asian Games campaign saw Abhishek Sharma and Sooryavanshi open the innings, with Sanju Samson batting at No. 3. However, the management could revert to a more familiar combination against West Indies, with Ishan Kishan likely to slot in at No. 3. Samson endured a below-par campaign in Japan but is expected to retain his place following consecutive half-centuries in the T20I series against Afghanistan. Abhishek Sharma is also expected to be a certain starter, leaving Sooryavanshi potentially waiting for his opportunity. The middle order is likely to feature established names such as captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the series, Arshdeep Singh is expected to lead the pace attack. Axar Patel, Dube and Reddy provide India with additional all-round options. Another selection battle could be between Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, both of whom have Lucknow as their IPL home venue. Kuldeep Yadav is also in contention after Ravi Bishnoi's indifferent outing at the Asian Games. India's probable XI Abhishek Sharma Sanju Samson Ishan Kishan (wk) Shreyas Iyer (capt) Tilak Varma Shivam Dube Nitish Kumar Reddy Axar Patel Kuldeep Yadav Mayank Yadav/Prince Yadav Arshdeep Singh West Indies hope for a fresh start West Indies will enter the T20I series with several powerful additions to their squad, including Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd. The visitors will be keen to build on the confidence gained from their victory in the third ODI and challenge India over the next two weeks. However, West Indies have struggled in T20Is in India. They have won only one of their last 10 T20Is in the country, with their most recent victory coming in 2019. The fitness of captain Shai Hope will be closely monitored. Hope was seen cramping during the third ODI and missed training on the eve of the T20I. He is nevertheless expected to be fit enough to play. West Indies have also added Amir Jangoo as cover for Jewel Andrew, who suffered a finger injury during the third ODI. If Andrew is unable to recover in time, Kamil Pooran could make his T20I debut after an outstanding CPL season. Shamar Joseph is expected to lead the pace attack, with Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde and Shamar Springer providing further options. West Indies' probable XI Shai Hope (capt, wk) Kamil Pooran Shimron Hetmyer Rovman Powell Sherfane Rutherford Romario Shepherd Shamar Springer Akeal Hosein Gudakesh Motie Shamar Joseph Matthew Forde Ishan Kishan and Hetmyer in the spotlight Ishan Kishan has emerged as one of India's most consistent T20I batters since returning to the national side. He is the leading run-scorer in men's T20Is in 2026, with 1,005 runs in 29 matches at an average of 37.22 and a strike rate of 169.47. His record at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium makes him an even bigger threat. Kishan has scored three fifties and a century in nine T20 innings at the venue, averaging 66.57. For West Indies, much of the attention will be on Shimron Hetmyer. The left-hander enjoyed an outstanding CPL 2026 campaign, scoring 367 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 197.31. After being given an extended recovery period following the CPL, Hetmyer returns to international cricket refreshed and will be eager to make an immediate impact. Pitch and conditions The match will be played on Pitch No. 5, the centre strip at the Ekana Stadium. The surface is a mix of red and black soil. Runs came freely at the venue during IPL 2026, and another high-scoring contest could be on the cards. Rain around Lucknow affected both teams' practice sessions on Monday, but there is no rain forecast for match day. Key numbers Akeal Hosein is set to become only the fourth West Indies player to play 100 T20Is. Ishan Kishan is the only batter in the world to have scored more than 1,000 runs in T20Is in 2026. India have won 20 of their 31 T20Is against West Indies. India are unbeaten in T20Is at the Ekana Stadium. With India arriving on the back of a successful Asian Games campaign and West Indies bolstered by several dangerous T20 specialists, the opening match promises an intriguing contest. For India, the biggest question will be how they accommodate their wealth of batting options, while West Indies will first hope their captain is fit enough to lead the charge.

West Indies have added wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo to their squad as cover for the injured Jewel Andrew ahead of their five-match T20I series against India. Andrew suffered a finger injury during the third ODI against India in New Chandigarh on Saturday. However, the 19-year-old has not been ruled out of the T20I series and remains under observation by the West Indies medical team. Andrew injured his finger while taking a catch to dismiss Naman Dhir at cover. He was subsequently taken to hospital for scans, which fortunately revealed no fracture. The young wicketkeeper did not bat during West Indies' successful chase in the third ODI. Andrew had been dismissed for a first-ball duck in the opening ODI and was left out of the second match before returning to the playing XI for the series finale. Jangoo returns to West Indies T20I setup Jangoo, 29, has been brought in as cover despite being considered more of a long-format specialist. He has played seven T20Is for West Indies since making his international debut in December 2024, scoring 163 runs at a strike rate of 120.74. His overall T20 record has been less impressive, with 163 runs in 34 matches coming at a strike rate of 104.25. However, Jangoo played an important role in the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' successful CPL 2026 campaign. He scored 213 runs during the tournament and produced his most significant contribution in the final, smashing an unbeaten 57 off 34 balls, including four fours and three sixes. His innings helped the Falcons defeat Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets and claim the CPL title. Jangoo enjoyed strong ODI series against India Jangoo enters the T20I series in excellent form after a productive ODI campaign against India. He scored 58 not out, 114 and 67 across the three matches to finish with 239 runs, making him the third-highest run-scorer of the series. Only India's Shubman Gill, with 334 runs, and West Indies captain Shai Hope, with 278 runs, scored more runs than Jangoo. The five-match T20I series will begin in Lucknow on Tuesday, before moving to Ranchi on October 9, Indore on October 11, Hyderabad on October 14 and Bengaluru on October 17. India vs West Indies T20I schedule 1st T20I: Lucknow — October 6 2nd T20I: Ranchi — October 9 3rd T20I: Indore — October 11 4th T20I: Hyderabad — October 14 5th T20I: Bengaluru — October 17

India overcame a dramatic early collapse to post a formidable 351 for 7 against West Indies, with KL Rahul producing a brilliant unbeaten century after Jayden Seales reduced the hosts to 4 for 2. Rahul finished on 129 not out, his ninth ODI hundred and his highest score in the format, while Rohit Sharma contributed a composed 92. Ruturaj Gaikwad added a fortunate 57 as India recovered from a disastrous start to build a strong total. West Indies had made the perfect beginning after Seales dismissed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in quick succession. Gill gloved a delivery down the leg side before Kohli missed a straight ball to depart for a golden duck. The early wickets left India struggling at 4 for 2, and they endured their longest wait for a first boundary in four years. Rohit, however, responded with the experience that has defined his ODI career. After scoring just 21 from his first 43 deliveries, he began to attack in the 17th over. A pulled six and a cover-driven four off Alzarri Joseph changed the momentum of the innings and pushed India's run rate beyond four an over for the first time. West Indies' fielding also let them down badly, with at least six catches going down, including four chances involving Gaikwad. Several errors in the field and inconsistent bowling allowed India to rebuild. Rohit eventually accelerated to 92 before falling to Keemo Paul, bringing Rahul to the crease in the 25th over. Rahul initially took his time, scoring only eight runs from his first 14 balls. But once the West Indies bowlers began missing their lengths, he shifted gears. He took advantage of loose deliveries from Vitel Lawes and steadily built another crucial partnership. Gaikwad eventually fell for 57, caught at point off Seales, who finally earned the rewards for an impressive spell. Naman Dhir then threatened to take the game away from West Indies with a brisk 30 from 21 balls before being caught at extra cover. Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled to find his rhythm and edged Paul through to the wicketkeeper, leaving India at 250 for 6 with nine overs remaining. That brought debutant Anshul Kamboj to the crease. The No. 8 showed exactly the kind of power India were looking for, striking two sixes after Gudakesh Motie dropped short twice in the 44th over. Kamboj's aggressive cameo provided Rahul with valuable support before he was dismissed. Gurnoor Brar then played a useful supporting role, rotating the strike and allowing Rahul to remain at the crease. The final phase belonged entirely to Rahul. He manipulated the field intelligently, picked up boundaries with remarkable efficiency and punished even the slightest errors in the West Indies bowling. Rather than aggressively farming the strike, Rahul repeatedly chose to remain at the non-striker's end when an extra run was available, ensuring he faced the deliveries he wanted. His clean ball-striking made the final overs increasingly difficult for the West Indies bowlers. With West Indies also suffering from a slow over rate, India had an additional fielder inside the circle for the final three overs. Rahul took full advantage, smashing 50 runs from those last three overs as India surged to 351 for 7. Seales finished with figures of 3 for 62, while Joseph was economical early on, taking 4-1-15-0 in his opening spell. After being reduced to 4 for 2, India had not only recovered but produced a total that put them in a commanding position, led by Rahul's superb unbeaten 129.

India have made several changes to their playing XI for the third and final ODI against the West Indies, handing a debut to fast-bowling all-rounder Anshul Kamboj after he was called up as an injury replacement. Kamboj comes into the XI at No. 8, replacing Auqib Nabi. His inclusion suggests that the Indian team management sees him as a player capable of contributing with the bat if required. However, Kamboj has not directly replaced injured pacer Prasidh Krishna. Instead, Mohammed Siraj returns to the XI after sitting out the first two matches. India have also made a notable change in the middle order, with Nitish Kumar Reddy replacing Ravindra Jadeja. It is an unusual combination for India, who rarely play without either Jadeja or Axar Patel. The last time both all-rounders were absent from India's final XI in an ODI, apart from the Afghanistan series, was in January 2023. Having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, India opted to bat first after winning the toss. They had chased successfully in the opening two games. The West Indies, meanwhile, were happy to chase. The visitors have struggled when batting first, having lost their last seven matches in that situation. They made three changes to their XI, bringing in Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie. Keacy Carty, Roston Chase and Shamar Joseph were left out, with the changes giving West Indies two frontline spin options in Motie and another part-time spin option in their bowling attack. The match is also significant as it is the first men's ODI to be played in New Chandigarh. India XI Rohit Sharma Shubman Gill (captain) Virat Kohli Ruturaj Gaikwad KL Rahul (wicketkeeper) Naman Dhir Nitish Kumar Reddy Anshul Kamboj Kuldeep Yadav Gurnoor Brar Mohammed Siraj West Indies XI John Campbell Jewel Andrew Shai Hope (captain & wicketkeeper) Amir Jangoo Sherfane Rutherford Keemo Paul Matthew Forde Gudakesh Motie Alzarri Joseph Jayden Seales Vitel Lawes With the series already decided, the third ODI provides India with an opportunity to test their bench strength, while Kamboj's debut will be one of the key talking points as the young all-rounder begins his international career.

India have suffered a setback ahead of the third and final ODI against the West Indies, with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury during the second match in Guwahati. Young all-rounder Anshul Kamboj has been named as his replacement for the series finale. Prasidh bowled only five overs in the second ODI, conceding 45 runs and taking the wicket of Keacy Carty. He left the field during the 31st over of the West Indies innings after experiencing discomfort. The injury could also put Prasidh's participation in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy, beginning October 11, in doubt. The fast bowler has reportedly returned to Bengaluru to begin his recovery. The second ODI in Guwahati turned into a high-scoring contest, with the West Indies posting a massive 405 for 7 in 50 overs. India, however, chased down the target comfortably, reaching the total in just 43.3 overs. The pitch used for the match drew considerable criticism. Meanwhile, Kamboj has been released from the ongoing India A vs Australia A four-day match in Puducherry to join the senior national team in New Chandigarh. Kamboj has impressed in domestic cricket and has taken 56 wickets in 35 List A matches at an average of 22.41. Although he is yet to make his ODI debut, he has already represented India in Test cricket, making his debut during India's tour of England last year. The 24-year-old had also made an impact in the ongoing India A series against Australia A. He claimed three wickets in the first four-day match and followed it up with another three-wicket haul in Australia's first innings in the second game. He subsequently left the India A squad after bowling just two overs in Australia's second innings. India have been managing their resources carefully amid a congested international schedule, with several senior players involved in different competitions and teams. Jasprit Bumrah, for instance, is currently in Japan for the Asian Games. With Prasidh unavailable, India's ODI squad for the final match against the West Indies includes Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj among the pace-bowling options. Kamboj's inclusion gives India another opportunity to assess a promising domestic performer as they look to complete the ODI series against the West Indies.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has called for more balanced ODI pitches after India completed a record 406-run chase against the West Indies in the second ODI in Guwahati, arguing that bowlers need more assistance to remain competitive. India successfully chased down West Indies’ imposing total of 405, producing a high-scoring contest that thrilled spectators but raised concerns for Gambhir about the lack of assistance for bowlers. Speaking to Star Sports after the match, Gambhir said there needed to be a greater contest between bat and ball. “There has to be a bit more contest between bat and ball. You talk about cricket, but this is not cricket, this is only batting,” Gambhir said. He acknowledged that the record-breaking performances were impressive for the players, spectators and broadcasters, but said the conditions were particularly challenging for young bowlers. “For the records, it’s outstanding; for the crowd, it’s outstanding; for the broadcaster, it’s outstanding. But if you ask me as a genuine cricket fan and as a coach, I have to have sympathy for the bowlers as well,” he said. Gambhir added that pitches offering so little assistance made it difficult for bowlers to have a meaningful impact. “When you bowl on this kind of a wicket, it’s not fair for the bowlers. So we’ve got to give something to the bowlers so there’s at least something which the bowlers can work with,” he said. Gambhir urges patience with bowlers The India coach also stressed that bowlers should not be judged solely by their figures when playing on extremely batter-friendly pitches. According to Gambhir, coaches and support staff should focus more on whether bowlers executed their plans effectively rather than simply looking at the runs they conceded. “Often you can’t be hard on bowlers, because sometimes bowling figures are such that they haven’t bowled as poorly as their figures suggest,” he said. Gambhir pointed to the restrictions imposed on modern ODI bowlers, including fielding limitations, two new balls and the increased power of batters. “That is why, as a coach, as a support staff, the first thing you look at is, were they able to execute their bowling or their plans properly? If they were able to do that, then you shouldn’t be hard on them,” he said. He also called for patience with young players, highlighting the debut of Auqib Nabi. “Imagine Auqib playing his first game. Somewhere you need to give them a bit of support and keep a bit of an extra cushion or extra options for them. But unfortunately, today there wasn’t much for any bowler,” Gambhir said. India have limited time to prepare for 2027 World Cup With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, Gambhir said India have less time than it might appear to finalise their squad and assess different options. Although roughly a year remains before the tournament, Gambhir pointed out that the IPL and the India-Australia series will take up a significant portion of that period. “So after this series, we have barely 20 ODIs, and 20 ODIs aren’t really that many ODIs,” he said, noting that the schedule also includes three ODIs each against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Gambhir said India would use the upcoming matches to test different players and combinations. “Right now is the time for us to try different options. Just like Auqib got an opportunity today, we will similarly try, at least until the Zimbabwe series, to give other people an opportunity and see what they can offer us in this format,” he said. Gambhir wants young bowlers tested under pressure Gambhir also explained why India chose to give Nabi his debut while the series was still on the line rather than waiting for a dead rubber. He said young players need exposure to pressure situations similar to those they will encounter at a World Cup. “We could have given Auqib a chance in the next match too when it’s a dead rubber, but in a dead rubber, you don’t have that pressure which comes with the pressure of winning a series,” Gambhir said. He made a similar point about young pacer Gurnoor Brar, saying exposure to difficult situations would ultimately help his development. “Having Gurnoor bowl in the first 10 overs, bowling at the death, I know people will talk about his analysis, but the more he bowls in tough conditions, in tough situations, the better it is for Indian cricket,” Gambhir said. Gambhir added that protecting young bowlers by using them only in favourable situations could produce better statistics but would not necessarily prepare them for the demands of major tournaments. “The more we expose them at such times, the better it is for Indian cricket,” he said.

West Indies have suffered a major setback ahead of the second ODI against India, with opener Justin Greaves ruled out of the match in Guwahati due to a calf injury. The opener is also doubtful for the third and final ODI, scheduled to be played on October 3 in New Chandigarh. Greaves sustained the injury during the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram. The West Indies opener appeared to struggle with his movement early in the innings and was seen limping on several occasions while receiving treatment from the team physiotherapist. Despite the discomfort, Greaves battled through the injury to register his maiden ODI century, scoring 101 runs off 108 deliveries. His innings eventually ended when he was dismissed lbw by India's left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Greaves did not take the field during India's run chase in the second innings. His absence is a significant blow for West Indies, who trail India 1-0 in the three-match ODI series. Greaves has been one of the team's most productive ODI batters since the start of 2025, scoring 528 runs in 19 innings, making him West Indies' third-highest run-scorer in the format during that period. He has also contributed with the ball, taking seven wickets with his medium pace. With Greaves unavailable, Jewel Andrew could be promoted to open alongside John Campbell. Sherfane Rutherford, who missed the first ODI due to personal reasons, is expected to return and strengthen the middle order. West Indies lost the opening match by eight wickets after posting 295 for 7 in their 50 overs. India chased down the target comfortably in just 41.4 overs. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati on Wednesday, followed by the third ODI in New Chandigarh on October 3. The teams will then face each other in a five-match T20I series beginning October 6. Greaves is not part of West Indies' T20I squad.

India batter Virat Kohli added another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career on Sunday, becoming only the second player in history to cross 15,000 runs in One-Day Internationals. Kohli also struck his 55th ODI century as India chased down 296 against the West Indies. At 37, Kohli has completed more than two decades in international cricket, but the veteran batter believes he is still capable of developing his game. He said he was challenged to “unlock a new version” of himself at this stage of his career, a change that has helped him approach batting with greater freedom. “I got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and play a gear higher,” Kohli said after the match. “It excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career.” Kohli made his intentions clear early in his innings, hitting a six within his first five deliveries. He went on to smash a personal-best nine sixes and 10 fours, reaching the 15,000-run milestone with three consecutive boundaries in the 29th over. The achievement places Kohli behind only Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time ODI run-scoring list. However, Kohli insisted that personal milestones have never been his primary focus. “My focus has never really been on these milestones,” he said. “It’s just understanding the situation and doing the job for the team. Achievements come along. Obviously, I feel very grateful and very blessed to be in this position.” Kohli's approach to ODI batting has also evolved. While he has traditionally been known for managing risk and building long innings, he now aims to accelerate once he feels settled at the crease. That approach has produced impressive numbers in 2026. Kohli has scored 523 ODI runs this year, while maintaining a strike rate of 116.74. “I promised myself I'm going to play positively because I can,” Kohli said. “So I'm going to continue to play like that, but not be reckless. There is a fine line which, as a professional and experienced player, I should have the ability to execute.” For Kohli, physical fitness remains closely linked to his ability to play with a clear and attacking mindset. He believes maintaining his conditioning allows him to remain mentally fresh and execute his plans effectively. “I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body,” Kohli said. “I stay physically fit and then I'm able to visualise the game in the way that I want to play.” The former India captain also spoke about the importance of staying grounded despite the attention and success that come with playing international cricket. According to Kohli, looking back at his journey from childhood helps him maintain perspective and appreciate the opportunities he has received. “I enjoy each and every minute that I'm out there playing for India,” he said. “It could have been a possibility that I wouldn't be standing here. I wouldn't have played for India at all. That could have been my reality as well.” Kohli said representing India in front of packed crowds and contributing to the team's success remains everything he dreamed of as a young cricketer. “I have nothing but gratitude in my heart,” he said. “I just want to put my head down, keep working hard, put a smile on my face and hopefully make other people smile too.”

India won the toss and elected to field first against the West Indies in the opening ODI of the series in Thiruvananthapuram, with all-rounder Naman Dhir handed his international debut. The match marks the start of India's home season and also sees the return of veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket. Both players last featured for India during the ODI series in England and now play only the 50-over format at international level. India also welcomed back left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who missed all three ODIs during the England series. The hosts, however, left out Mohammed Siraj, opting for two tall, hit-the-deck fast bowlers in Prasidh Krishna and debutant Gurnoor Brar. Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir form India's all-round options, with Dhir also providing an off-spin option. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was unable to find a place in the playing XI. West Indies made one notable change to their side after Sherfane Rutherford was ruled out of the opening ODI due to a personal matter. His absence has opened the door for 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Jewel Andrew, who returns to the ODI side after more than a year. The West Indies enter the series under pressure as they look to strengthen their position in the 50-over format. They face the prospect of having to play the qualifiers for next year's ODI World Cup after struggling to maintain consistency in the format. The visitors have also faced challenges in sustaining domestic 50-over cricket, with no List A tournament scheduled in the Caribbean this year because of financial constraints. India, meanwhile, are looking to rebuild and establish a settled core ahead of next year's World Cup. The hosts have lost two of their last three ODI series, while West Indies come into the contest after losing their previous series at home to New Zealand. Playing XIs India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (capt), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar. West Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph.

Hope is relishing the opportunity to take on one of the world's leading ODI teams and has urged his players to embrace the challenge ahead of the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram. “Playing India in their backyard is always a challenge, and it's one that we definitely need to grasp and embrace,” Hope said. “When you come here, you expect the best of the best. It's a great indicator for us to see where we are as a team.” West Indies failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup and will have to go through the qualifiers in February for the third consecutive time. The upcoming series against India therefore represents both a major challenge and an important opportunity to prepare for that tournament. For Hope, playing against the best teams is essential if West Indies are to close the gap with the leading sides. “When you're playing international cricket, you want to play against the best,” he said. “When they are playing in their home conditions, you get the real test.” Hope's experience a major asset Hope will be one of West Indies' key players during the series, particularly given his impressive record in Indian conditions. The right-hander has played 11 ODIs in India, scoring 512 runs at an average of 56.88, including two centuries and two fifties. He has also been West Indies' leading ODI run-scorer since the beginning of 2025, accumulating 869 runs at an average of 51.11. Hope believes adaptability has been central to his success across different conditions. “I pride myself a lot on trying to be the best that I can be,” he said. “One of those things is that you have to be able to adapt.” He stressed that batting successfully in India requires a different approach compared with conditions in Australia, England or the Caribbean. “It’s just about being very critical of the way you go about your training and preparation,” Hope said. “Pay close attention to detail and the way we go about preparing and analysing the opposition and the conditions that we play in.” Young players given chance to learn West Indies have arrived in India with a mixture of experienced campaigners and emerging players. Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph and Sherfane Rutherford have previously played in India, while Vitel Lawes, Jewel Andrew and Amir Jangoo are experiencing the conditions for the first time. Hope believes the series can play an important role in their development. “It's a very exciting time for these players,” he said. “Whenever you come to India, it's one tour you look forward to coming to play.” While winning remains the team's priority, Hope said he would also be closely watching how the younger players respond to the challenge. “For me personally as a leader, I want to see progression,” he said. “I want to see how fast we can adapt against the best in the world and how we can compete.” Long wait for series victory West Indies have not won a bilateral ODI series against India for 20 years, while their last bilateral series triumph in India came 24 years ago. Hope acknowledged the weight of those statistics but believes they can provide additional motivation for his side. “The harsh reality is almost every series that we go into, those stats are always at the top of the list,” he said. West Indies will also be looking to reverse a disappointing recent ODI record. They have won only six of their 22 matches since the beginning of 2025, despite producing occasional outstanding individual performances, including Keacy Carty's 170 against Ireland and Jayden Seales' six-wicket haul against Pakistan. For Hope, consistency remains the biggest challenge. “We've seen great sparks from different series and from different persons around West Indies cricket. But it's about repeating that,” he said. “We just need to find a way to be more consistent so we can get a lot more victories. That's how you're going to find yourself climbing up the ladder and really competing against the best teams in the world.” With India providing a formidable test in their own conditions, Hope knows West Indies face a difficult assignment. But he believes the series could provide valuable evidence of how far his team has progressed — and how much further it still has to go.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed Nitish Kumar Reddy to develop into a strong contender for the team’s allrounder position ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Reddy has recently impressed with the ball in T20Is against Afghanistan, claiming three wickets in both the second and third matches of the series. He will now have an opportunity to strengthen his credentials in the 50-over format during India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The 22-year-old has played only six ODIs so far, with modest returns, but his ability to contribute with both bat and ball could become increasingly important for India as they manage their options in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who continues to recover from injury. “I think Nitish, if we just rewind to the T20s, the way he bowled in different situations has been very impressive,” Morkel said. “The message to him all the time is just to keep things simple and do the basics as well as possible.” Morkel also highlighted Reddy’s versatility, praising his contributions in all three disciplines. “I think he's a very talented guy when it comes to bat, ball and field. He always wants to be the guy who wants to create opportunities, and having that mindset is fantastic,” he added. Reddy has had his own struggles with injuries, most recently missing India’s series against Ireland and England because of a quadriceps problem. He returned during the ODI series against Afghanistan before producing stronger performances in the subsequent T20Is. He was also brought into India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series after the BCCI withdrew him from the Asian Games squad, with Pandya still unavailable. Reddy impresses in training Two days before the opening ODI against the West Indies, Reddy caught the eye during a training session. He generated good pace and movement, beating Shubman Gill’s outside edge twice before inducing an outside edge from Rohit Sharma. He also looked comfortable with the bat, further underlining his potential as a genuine allround option. Morkel said India’s immediate priority is to give Reddy a clearly defined role and allow him to develop through consistent opportunities. “The role that we want him to play in certain situations is: how can we ask him to be as consistent; how well can he fulfil just doing the basics as best as possible,” Morkel said. “With the time we have now, it will be great for Indian cricket if we can keep on developing him and for him to compete for that allrounder spot. He's got all the talent and all the ability to do that.” India shift focus towards 2027 World Cup With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, India are beginning to place greater emphasis on their 50-over plans. Following the West Indies series, India are scheduled to play five ODIs in New Zealand and three against Sri Lanka at home before facing Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series early in 2027. Morkel wants the players to embrace pressure during this period rather than protect their positions in the side. “Whoever walks onto the field now, up until the World Cup, needs to know that there's a certain standard we want to achieve,” he said. “I want these players to put themselves under pressure, as much pressure.” According to Morkel, India need players who are willing to take responsibility in difficult situations, whether that means asking for the ball when wickets are needed or building a partnership after an early collapse. “If we are maybe 30 for 4, who's going to go and get that partnership and get us to 100?” Morkel said. “If we can throw ourselves into certain situations and guys can figure out ways how to play those situations and learn from that, there will be growth.” Workload management remains a priority India are also closely monitoring the workload of their fast bowlers after a series of injuries throughout the year. Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya and Reddy himself have all spent periods on the sidelines. Morkel said the coaching and medical teams are working together to ensure players remain fit and available for selection. “We're constantly keeping an eye on workload management, how to give the guys the best opportunity to be fit and put their name in the hat for selection,” he said. He added that India have individual plans for their players and will continue to monitor their workloads as the team builds towards the 2027 World Cup. “With each and every individual there is a plan, and we'll keep on monitoring that and coming up with the best way forward to give the selectors the best sort of group to pick from,” Morkel said.