India will host West Indies for a three-match ODI series running from September 27 to October 3, 2026, with fixtures scheduled at Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and New Chandigarh.
All three games are day-night affairs and form part of India’s build-up toward the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The Men’s Selection Committee, headed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, announced a 15-member squad on September 16, 2026, with Shubman Gill named captain and KL Rahul as vice-captain. With a settled core already in place, certain squad members face a real possibility of sitting out every game in the series.
Here are three players who could be benched throughout in ODI series:
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are confirmed as the opening pair for this ODI series, while Virat Kohli slots into the top order and KL Rahul anchors the middle order. That leaves Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored 285 runs in six ODIs at an average of 71.25, without a clear batting slot. Ruturaj Gaikwad is also in the squad and adds further competition at the top of the order. With the first-choice openers already settled, Jaiswal may find it difficult to break into the playing XI across any of the three matches, despite his impressive numbers in the format.
2. Naman Dhir
Ravindra Jadeja brings left-arm spin and lower-order batting, while Nitish Kumar Reddy fills the pace-bowling all-rounder role in the middle and lower order. Both are expected to be first-choice picks in those positions, leaving little room for Naman Dhir. This is Dhir’s maiden call-up to the senior Indian setup, and he arrives with 351 runs and seven wickets from 14 List A matches. While the selection is a reward for his domestic performances, the presence of two established all-rounders ahead of him makes it unlikely that he will feature in the playing XI during this series.
3. Dhruv Jurel
The wicketkeeper slot in this squad belongs to KL Rahul, who serves as both the first-choice gloveman and vice-captain. Dhruv Jurel is named as the reserve wicketkeeper option behind Rahul. Jurel has represented India in Tests and T20Is but is yet to make his ODI debut, and he has accumulated 747 runs from 17 List A matches. Notably, Rishabh Pant was not selected for this series and was instead named as captain and wicketkeeper for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Unless Rahul picks up an injury, Jurel is unlikely to get an opportunity across the three ODIs.