India vs West Indies 1st ODI is bringing two of Indian cricket’s biggest names back into the ODI spotlight.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are both included in India’s ODI squad for the three-match home series against West Indies.
But there is another important detail.
Shubman Gill remains India’s ODI captain. India vs West Indies 1st ODI
That combination makes the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram more than another bilateral series fixture. It brings together India’s established ODI stars, a captain leading the next phase of the team, new players receiving their first ODI call-ups and a West Indies side led by Shai Hope.
And before the first ball is bowled, there is a simple question for readers:
How well do you know India’s new ODI setup? in India vs West Indies 1st ODI
Take our 20-question India vs West Indies cricket quiz below and see how many you can get right.
The three-match ODI series begins on September 27, 2026, at the Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, with the match scheduled for 2:00 PM IST.
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India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Match Details
Match: India vs West Indies
Competition: West Indies tour of India 2026
Format: ODI
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Venue: Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Common venue name: Greenfield International Stadium
Start time: 2:00 PM IST
India captain: Shubman Gill
India vice-captain: KL Rahul
West Indies captain: Shai Hope
The series will contain three ODIs, followed by five T20Is. The ODIs are scheduled for Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and New Chandigarh.
Table of Contents -India vs West Indies 1st ODI
Why India vs West Indies Is Different This Time
The biggest headline is obvious.
Rohit Sharma is back.
Virat Kohli is back.
But they are returning to an ODI side that is no longer led by either player.
Shubman Gill has been named captain, with KL Rahul as vice-captain.
That makes the first ODI an interesting combination of continuity and transition.
India’s ODI squad contains established names such as Kohli, Rohit, Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj, while Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi have received their first ODI call-ups.
The result is a squad that contains experience at the highest level alongside players being introduced into the ODI setup.
What Does Rohit and Virat’s Return Mean? in India vs West Indies 1st ODI
The selection itself answers one immediate question:
Both players remain part of India’s ODI plans for this series.
But it does not automatically answer how the final playing XI will look.
The ODI squad has 15 players, meaning several selection decisions remain before the official team sheet is announced.
The important distinction is between:
Squad selection
and
Starting XI selection.
Rohit and Kohli being selected does not mean every possible batting combination has already been confirmed.
That gives the first ODI another layer of interest.
Shubman Gill Is Still the Captain
One of the most important details that can get lost behind the Kohli-Rohit headlines is Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
Gill has been named India’s ODI captain for the West Indies series, while KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain.
That means India’s current ODI structure has three different leadership generations visible in the same squad:
- Shubman Gill — current captain
- KL Rahul — vice-captain
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — returning senior stars
That makes the West Indies series an interesting test of how India’s experienced players fit into Gill’s leadership group.
It is a squad story that goes beyond one match.
India vs West Indies 2026: Take the 20-Question Quiz
Ready?
Don’t check the answers until you’ve finished.
Question 1: When is India vs West Indies 1st ODI 2026?
A) September 24
B) September 25
C) September 27
D) September 29
Answer: C — September 27, 2026.
Question 2: Where will the first ODI be played?
A) Wankhede Stadium
B) Eden Gardens
C) Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
D) Narendra Modi Stadium
Answer: C. The venue is also widely referred to as Greenfield International Stadium.
Question 3: Who is India’s ODI captain?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Rohit Sharma
C) KL Rahul
D) Shubman Gill
Answer: D — Shubman Gill.
Question 4: Which two former India captains are returning to the ODI squad?
A) MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli
B) Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
C) Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul
D) Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja
Answer: B — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Question 5: Who is India’s ODI vice-captain?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Ravindra Jadeja
C) KL Rahul
D) Ruturaj Gaikwad
Answer: C — KL Rahul.
Question 6: How many ODIs are in the India-West Indies series?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Five
Answer: C — Three ODIs.
Question 7: How many T20Is follow the ODI series?
A) Three
B) Four
C) Five
D) Six
Answer: C — Five T20Is.
Question 8: Which Indian all-rounder is included in the ODI squad?
A) Hardik Pandya
B) Washington Sundar
C) Ravindra Jadeja
D) Axar Patel
Answer: C — Ravindra Jadeja.
Question 9: Which two players received maiden ODI call-ups?
A) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav
B) Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi
C) Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma
D) Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
Answer: B — Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi.
Question 10: Who captains West Indies?
A) Nicholas Pooran
B) Jason Holder
C) Rovman Powell
D) Shai Hope
Answer: D — Shai Hope.
Question 11: Who is India’s ODI vice-captain?
A) Ravindra Jadeja
B) KL Rahul
C) Ruturaj Gaikwad
D) Virat Kohli
Answer: B — KL Rahul.
Question 12: Which venue hosts the first ODI?
A) Guwahati
B) Lucknow
C) Thiruvananthapuram
D) Bengaluru
Answer: C — Thiruvananthapuram.
Question 13: Which city hosts the second ODI?
A) Guwahati
B) Ranchi
C) Hyderabad
D) Indore
Answer: A — Guwahati.
Question 14: Which city hosts the third ODI?
A) Chandigarh
B) New Chandigarh
C) Ahmedabad
D) Bengaluru
Answer: B — New Chandigarh.
Question 15: Who leads West Indies in the ODI series?
A) Roston Chase
B) John Campbell
C) Shai Hope
D) Alzarri Joseph
Answer: C — Shai Hope.
Question 16: Who is India’s ODI captain despite Rohit Sharma’s return?
A) Rohit Sharma
B) Virat Kohli
C) Shubman Gill
D) KL Rahul
Answer: C — Shubman Gill.
Question 17: Are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma included in India’s T20I squad for this West Indies tour?
A) Yes, both
B) Only Kohli
C) Only Rohit
D) No
Answer: D — No. They are included in the ODI squad, while India’s separate T20I squad does not include either player.
Question 18: How many T20Is follow the three ODIs?
A) Three
B) Four
C) Five
D) Seven
Answer: C — Five.
Question 19: Which West Indies batter returned to the ODI squad after missing the final two ODIs against New Zealand?
A) John Campbell
B) Shimron Hetmyer
C) Kamil Pooran
D) Rovman Powell
Answer: A — John Campbell.
Question 20: When does the West Indies tour of India finish?
A) October 11
B) October 14
C) October 17
D) October 20
Answer: C — October 17, 2026, with the fifth T20I in Bengaluru.
How Did You Score? – India vs West Indies 1st ODI
18–20: Elite India Cricket Knowledge
You know the current India-West Indies setup extremely well.
14–17: Strong Cricket Knowledge
You have followed the major squad and schedule developments closely.
10–13: Solid Start
You know the main storyline, but there are a few squad details worth revisiting.
Below 10: Time for a Cricket Refresh
The good news is that the series is still ahead.
The important names and dates are now easier to remember.
The India ODI Squad: Who Is Actually Selected?
India’s 15-player ODI squad is:
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- KL Rahul (VC)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
- Gurnoor Brar
- Mohammed Siraj
- Auqib Nabi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Naman Dhir
The squad was announced by the BCCI on September 16.
The selection combines returning senior players with newer options.
Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi are particularly notable because this is their first ODI call-up.
West Indies Bring Their Own Selection Story
West Indies are not arriving with exactly the same squad used in their T20I campaign.
Their ODI squad is led by Shai Hope and includes John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Jayden Seales, alongside Jewel Andrew.
John Campbell’s return adds experience at the top of the order.
At the same time, the West Indies selection is clearly being viewed through the longer-term 2027 ODI World Cup lens.
ICC reported that the West Indies are using the series to assess players and build toward next year’s World Cup.
That gives the ODI series significance for both sides beyond the three individual matches.
Why the 2027 World Cup Matters to This Series
The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is approaching.
That does not mean the first India vs West Indies ODI will determine who plays in that tournament.
It does mean the series provides an opportunity for both teams to evaluate their ODI combinations.
For India, the immediate headline is the return of Rohit and Kohli alongside Gill’s continued captaincy.
For West Indies, the series provides another opportunity to assess their ODI group before the next World Cup.
ICC has specifically described India’s current ODI campaign as part of building momentum toward the 2027 World Cup, while West Indies have also framed the India tour around their longer-term preparation.
Who Could Make India’s Playing XI? in India vs West Indies 1st ODI
This is where fans can have some fun.
The squad gives India several possible combinations, but the official XI should not be presented until the team sheet is released.
Questions include:
- Who opens with Shubman Gill?
- Does Rohit Sharma open?
- Where does Virat Kohli bat?
- How does KL Rahul fit into the batting order?
- Does India select both a specialist wicketkeeper and Rahul?
- How many all-rounders are used?
- Which bowlers make the final XI?
These are selection questions, not confirmed answers.
Your Turn: Guess India’s XI
Who should open for India?
A) Rohit Sharma + Shubman Gill
B) Rohit Sharma + Virat Kohli
C) Shubman Gill + Yashasvi Jaiswal
D) Ruturaj Gaikwad + Rohit Sharma
There is no need to present one option as the confirmed answer before the official team sheet.
Tell us your opening pair in the comments.
That turns the article from a static preview into a discussion.
India vs West Indies Full 2026 Schedule
ODI Series
1st ODI — September 27
Thiruvananthapuram — 2:00 PM IST
2nd ODI — September 30
Guwahati — 2:00 PM IST
3rd ODI — October 3
New Chandigarh — 2:00 PM IST
T20I Series
1st T20I — October 6
Lucknow — 7:00 PM IST
2nd T20I — October 9
Ranchi — 7:00 PM IST
3rd T20I — October 11
Indore — 7:00 PM IST
4th T20I — October 14
Hyderabad — 7:00 PM IST
5th T20I — October 17
Bengaluru — 7:00 PM IST
The complete schedule is confirmed by the BCCI and Cricket West Indies.
India vs West Indies: What Should Fans Watch?
The most obvious storyline is Kohli and Rohit.
But there are several others.
1. Gill’s captaincy
Gill remains in charge despite the return of two players who have previously captained India.
That makes his leadership one of the central stories of the series.
2. The Kohli-Rohit combination
Their inclusion immediately creates questions about India’s batting order.
The official XI will answer some of them.
3. KL Rahul’s role
Rahul is vice-captain and remains one of India’s key ODI players.
His position becomes particularly interesting with multiple established batters available.
4. India’s new ODI call-ups
Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi are entering the ODI squad for the first time.
Whether either player reaches the playing XI is still a separate question.
5. West Indies’ ODI rebuild
Shai Hope’s team is also looking toward the next major ODI cycle.
The series gives several West Indies players a chance to establish their roles against a strong Indian side.
India vs West Indies Live Update
This article should remain active throughout match day.
Before the toss, update it with:
- Confirmed playing XIs
- Toss result
- Any late injury news
- Captain statements
- Final team combinations
During the match, update with:
- Live score
- Wickets
- Runs
- Partnerships
- Overs
- Run rate
- Bowling figures
- Key moments
- Milestones
- Toss
- Innings break
- Full-time result
After the match, add a concise post-match section explaining what changed for the series.
This allows the same URL to target searches for:
India vs West Indies playing 11
India vs West Indies live score
India vs West Indies result
Virat Kohli score
Rohit Sharma score
rather than publishing separate thin articles for every update.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is India vs West Indies 1st ODI 2026?
The first ODI is scheduled for September 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM IST.
Where is India vs West Indies 1st ODI being played?
The match is scheduled at the Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, commonly known as Greenfield International Stadium.
Is Virat Kohli playing against West Indies?
Virat Kohli has been selected in India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series. Whether he starts the first ODI should be confirmed by the official team sheet.
Is Rohit Sharma playing against West Indies?
Rohit Sharma has been selected in India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series. His starting status for the first ODI should be confirmed when the official XI is announced.
Who is India’s captain against West Indies?
Shubman Gill is India’s ODI captain.
Who is India’s vice-captain?
KL Rahul has been named ODI vice-captain.
Who is West Indies’ captain?
Shai Hope is the West Indies ODI captain.
How many ODIs will India and West Indies play?
They will play three ODIs.
How many T20Is follow the ODI series?
The ODI series is followed by five T20Is.
Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India’s T20I squad?
No. They are part of India’s ODI squad, while the separate T20I squad does not include either player.
Who received maiden ODI call-ups for India?
Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi received their maiden ODI call-ups.
What time does India vs West Indies start?
The first ODI is scheduled for 2:00 PM IST.
Where can I follow India vs West Indies live?
Follow the official broadcaster and streaming listings close to match time, as broadcast arrangements can change.
The Bigger Story: Two ODI Generations in One India Squad
The most interesting part of this India vs West Indies series may not be a single player.
It is the combination.
India have Shubman Gill leading the ODI side, KL Rahul as vice-captain, and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning.
At the same time, Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi are entering the ODI squad for the first time.
That creates a fascinating snapshot of where Indian ODI cricket stands in 2026.
The West Indies series therefore offers three things at once:
Experience.
Leadership transition.
New-player opportunities.
And before the first ball is bowled, there is one more question worth answering:
How well did you actually know this India vs West Indies squad?
If you scored 20/20, share your score.
If you didn’t, now you know the key names, dates and selection details before the series begins.
The first ODI is only the beginning.
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