SportsPosted at: Oct 2 2026 7:52PM


India look to fix bowling concerns in series finale against West Indies

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) India will look to wrap up the ODI series on a stronger note with the ball when they take on the West Indies in the third and final match in Mullanpur on Saturday.
India have already sealed the three-match series after convincing wins in the first two games, but their bowling attack has had a difficult time on surfaces that have heavily favoured the batters.
The second ODI in Guwahati produced more than 800 runs, with India chasing down 406, and the conditions drew criticism from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who called for a better contest between bat and ball.
India’s bowlers have taken only one wicket in the first 10 overs across the two matches and conceded 177 runs in the powerplays. They have also struggled to make regular breakthroughs in the middle overs, leaving Kuldeep Yadav with much of the responsibility for taking wickets.
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is under particular scrutiny after managing only three wickets in his last eight matches. With the series already secured, India could look to give him another opportunity to find some rhythm and also assess their options ahead of a busy ODI schedule.
The contrast has been stark at the top of the order. Captain Shubman Gill has led from the front, averaging 79.3 in home ODIs since 2024. He has scored both a century and a double century in this series, including an unbeaten 223 in Guwahati that powered India to the highest successful chase in their ODI history.
Gill will now have a chance to finish the series with another big score, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also contributed with the bat. With only four Indian batters having batted in the series so far, KL Rahul, debutant Naman Dhir and Jadeja could be in line for more time in the middle.
The pace bowling combination remains the bigger talking point. With Prasidh Krishna ruled out of the final ODI with a left hamstring injury, Anshul Kamboj has been added to the squad.
In that scenario, Mohammed Siraj could return after sitting out the first two matches and would bring experience to an attack that has struggled to contain the West Indies top order.
Siraj has not been at his best since the Sri Lanka tour and picked up only one wicket in the Duleep Trophy final, where he bowled 41 overs against East Zone. The final ODI could offer him an opportunity to regain his rhythm in the 50-over format.
India are also looking at their options for the future, with Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi among the younger quicks pushing for places alongside established names such as Jasprit Bumrah.
Nabi, who made his ODI debut in Guwahati, was handed a difficult introduction on a surface heavily tilted in favour of the batters.
Mullanpur will host its first men’s ODI, and India’s bowlers will hope the pitch offers more assistance than the tracks in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. Nitish Kumar Reddy could also be considered for a longer bowling role after being left out of the second game.
The West Indies, meanwhile, will be looking to finish the series with a win. John Campbell has provided explosive starts, while captain Shai Hope has anchored the innings effectively. The visitors will need greater contributions from Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase and Keemo Paul if they are to challenge India in the series finale.
Squads:
India: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vc), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
West Indies: Shai Hope (Captain), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.
UNI TB RSA
Tags: #India look to fix bowling concerns in series finale against West Indies
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