India will be hosting the West Indies for three ODIs and three T20Is in September-October 2026. The West Indies had previously visited India for two tests this year and now will play a white-ball series. The first ODI will be played in Trivandrum on September 27; the second ODI will be played on September 30 in Guwahati, and the third ODI on October 3 in New Chandigarh.
This three-match ODI series will be crucial for many Indian players as the Men in Blue begin their prep for the 2027 ICC World Cup. Despite outside views, there are some players whose spots in the India squad for the ICC event and need a big series against the West Indies. Today, we take a look at three such Indian players.
Here are the 3 Indian players who desperately need a big ODI series:
3. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj last played an ODI for India in January 2026 against New Zealand. But he was left out of the ODI squad before that, especially for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Siraj had been one of the best bowlers for India in South Africa when they last toured for a Test series and will be crucial when the 2027 World Cup is played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Overall, he has 76 wickets in 50 ODIs, with the best bowling of 6/21, which came in the final of the Asia Cup 2023.
2. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav had a very silent ODI series against Afghanistan and recently lost his place in the India T20I side as well. Kuldeep Yadav is someone who had done well when India last played ODIs in South Africa and is a crucial member of the Indian team for the 2027 World Cup, given that India will most likely play only one specialist spinner in the XI. Kuldeep Yadav is someone who needs confidence in his bowling to bowl at his best and hence needs a good ODI series against the West Indies to get that confidence for the tough road ahead.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma’s spot in the Indian XI is more or less confirmed after Ajit Agarkar’s exit and backing from the BCCI. He only has one century against England amongst low-scoring outings. Rohit Sharma is 39 years old and also has Yashasvi Jaiswal knocking on the door for the opening spot. Rohit Sharma might also know that he’s keeping a deserving Jaiswal out of the Indian team and needs to continue scoring runs to justify his spot.
