India are set to play three ODIs against West Indies starting September 27, 2026, but the build-up to the series has raised several questions about the composition and readiness of the squad.
With the Asian Games in Japan running from September 24 to October 3, 2026, the scheduling overlap has directly affected which players are available for selection.
Shubman Gill has been named ODI captain for the series, with KL Rahul as vice-captain. Several prominent names are absent, and a handful of uncapped players have received their maiden call-ups.
Here are top 3 challenges India may face in West Indies ODIs:
3. Unavailability of key players due to Asian Games overlap
The Asian Games in Japan overlap entirely with all three West Indies ODIs, and that has had a direct impact on India’s available pool. Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are all committed to the Asian Games and are therefore absent from the ODI squad. Both Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are key spin-bowling all-rounders, and their simultaneous absence leaves a noticeable gap in that department.
Varun Chakravarthy was also ruled out of the Asian Games squad due to a side strain, with Vipraj Nigam named as his replacement. Nitish Kumar Reddy was originally named in the Asian Games squad but was redirected to the ODI series. Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, and Naman Dhir, an all-rounder from Punjab, have both received maiden ODI call-ups to help fill the gaps. Nabi was part of India’s Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2026 but did not make his debut at that stage.
2. Form and future of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja
Rohit Sharma is in the ODI squad but is facing a bit of competition from Yashasvi Jaiswal as Indian captain Shubman Gill’s opening partner. Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the ODI set-up after his last appearance in an ODI series against New Zealand, while Ruturaj Gaikwad is also back after featuring in the home series against South Africa. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 is the stated backdrop for India’s ODI planning, with Gill leading the side as India build momentum towards that tournament.
Both Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have been central figures in Indian cricket for well over a decade, and their places in the World Cup 2027 squad will depend on the form and performances they produce in series such as this one. The West Indies ODIs therefore carry added significance for both players as they look to cement their positions in the longer-term plan.
1. Hardik Pandya’s absence and the all-rounder balance question
Hardik Pandya does not feature in the announced ODI squad for the West Indies series. He has been sidelined by a sequence of physical setbacks, including a quadriceps issue and back spasms, which have kept him away from the side for an extended period. His absence creates a clear void in the seam-bowling all-rounder role, an area where India have historically relied on him to provide balance across batting and bowling.
The team management is using this series to assess Nitish Kumar Reddy as a potential alternative in that role. Reddy is confirmed in the 15-man ODI squad and will have the opportunity to stake his claim. Dhruv Jurel has also been included in place of Rishabh Pant, adding another layer of freshness to the middle order. How Reddy and the other fringe players perform across the three matches will be closely watched as India continues to shape their plans for the 2027 World Cup