SportsPosted at: Sep 27 2026 1:51PM


India opt to field against West Indies, Gill eyes World Cup combinations

Thiruvananthpuram, Sep 27 (UNI) India skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field against the West Indies in the opening ODI here on Sunday, as the hosts begin shaping their combinations with the 2027 World Cup now firmly on the horizon.
With several regulars away at the Asian Games, India have handed a debut to all-rounder Naman Dhir and opted for a four-bowler, two-all-rounder combination, with Nitish Kumar Reddy also providing the all-round option.
Rohit Sharma returns to the ODI set-up alongside Gill at the top, while Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad and wicketkeeper KL Rahul add considerable experience to the batting line-up. Ravindra Jadeja, Reddy and Dhir form the all-rounder options, with Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar completing the bowling attack.
India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (capt), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
Gill said the immediate focus was on identifying the combination that could be given sufficient time ahead of the World Cup.
"We're gonna bowl first. Looks a pretty good surface. Looks like a decent surface, very hot, so I think it'll come a little bit better under lights, so we'll try to chase," Gill said after winning the toss.
"I think 20-odd matches to go before the World Cup starts, so I think this is the time to see what combination suits us the best and then give that combination as much time in the middle as possible."
Gill said India's combination had been shaped by the absence of some players due to the Asian Games.
"I think we've got a pretty decent combination here, going with four bowlers and two all-rounders," he said.
"We are going with four bowlers and then two all-rounders with Reddy and Naman, who makes his debut."
The West Indies, meanwhile, have arrived with an ambitious challenge for the hosts, with skipper Shai Hope stressing the importance of posting a substantial total after India chose to field.
Hope said the short turnaround from the Caribbean Premier League had tested the squad's preparation, but believed his players were ready for the challenge.
"It's been a quick turnaround for us. We play a lot of cricket, different format from CPL, but it's been going pretty well," Hope said.
"I think the guys have been playing some good cricket in the last couple of years, just about for us now to come to India and try to replicate that."
The West Indies captain welcomed the opportunity to face a strong Indian side in home conditions.
"We want to play against the best teams in the world, and no better place to do it here in India. So I think the guys are really looking forward to this challenge," he said.
Asked what it would take to beat India, Hope was unequivocal: "Really, a big score on the board. We've got to make sure we put a big score on the board."
"It's very good conditions here in India to bat, usually tends to get a little bit better actually in the evening time. So a good start with the bat and hopefully we can finish it off with the ball," he added.
The West Indies XI comprises John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (capt/wk), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales.
The opening ODI thus carries an early selection significance for India, with Gill making clear that the series is not merely about results but about giving prospective combinations enough time in the middle before the World Cup cycle gathers pace.
UNI BDN
Tags: #India opt to field against West Indies# Gill eyes World Cup combinations
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