India Begin World Cup Build-Up Against West Indies Without Bumrah

India begin their final stretch of ODI preparation before the 2027 World Cup when they face West Indies in the first match of the three-game series in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. The hosts enter the day-night contest without Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, while West Indies are also using the series as part of their longer route towards the global event.

Every ODI series now carries added importance with the 2027 World Cup scheduled for next October. India have played three ODI series in 2026 and lost two, having frequently been unable to field their first-choice side because of injuries and their T20 World Cup commitments. They won that T20 tournament, but their ODI group again has notable absences for the opening match against West Indies.

West Indies have an additional qualification challenge ahead of them, with the side set to go through the Qualifier for a third successive time to reach the World Cup. They have not won a bilateral ODI series against India since 2006, or in India since 2002, making this three-match contest a significant opportunity as well as a preparation exercise.

Selection balance and key players in focus

India captain Shubman Gill is fit to play after being struck on the elbow in the nets. However, several first-choice players are with the T20I side at the Asian Games, including Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. That leaves India weighing their batting depth against the need for extra bowling cover.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has only recently returned to full fitness, could be required to bowl his full allocation of 10 overs if India opt for a batting-heavy XI. Naman Dhir is in contention for a middle-order debut in that scenario. Alternatively, India could select Gurnoor Brar or hand Auqib Nabi a debut to strengthen their bowling resources.

The probable India lineup includes Rohit Sharma, Gill, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. The final place is expected to reflect the balance India want for the match.

Kohli is one of the major individual storylines. He needs 59 runs to reach 15,000 ODI runs and owns an average of 66.50 against West Indies. In six ODI matches in 2026, Kohli has scored at a strike rate of 106.66, with his recent approach featuring a noticeable attempt to increase tempo. India’s top three have averaged 53.34 since the end of the last World Cup, compared with West Indies’ corresponding figure of 29.35.

For West Indies, Shai Hope leads a batting group that includes John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase in the probable XI. Hope has been the best-performing middle-order batter for West Indies since the last World Cup, scoring 1,350 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 92.91.

Sherfane Rutherford will miss the opening ODI due to a personal matter and is expected to join the squad ahead of the second match. Campbell is back at the top of the order after returning from surgery, while Greaves may partner him. Amir Jangoo could come into the side in Rutherford’s absence.

Seam conditions and West Indies’ challenge

The Greenfield International Stadium has staged two previous ODIs. Although the sample is limited, it has the third-best bowling average for seamers in India at 25.35. West Indies were bowled out for 104 by India at this ground in 2018, when Jadeja took four wickets. Rain is expected to be a minimal threat in Thiruvananthapuram.

West Indies have pace options in Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales, with Alzarri Joseph providing a middle-overs threat and Vitel Lawes offering another option. Joseph returns to the squad after winning the CPL, while Shamar Joseph is also competing for a place in the XI.

The contest between West Indies’ batting and India’s spin could prove important. Since the end of the last World Cup, West Indies average 28.09 against spin, with only Zimbabwe lower among traditional ODI teams. Jadeja and Kuldeep offer India control and wicket-taking potential, while the hosts have scored at 6.08 runs per over over the same period, second only to England’s 6.17.

For India, the opening ODI is the start of a crucial World Cup build-up despite an incomplete first-choice squad. For West Indies, it is another test of progress against a team they have not beaten in a bilateral ODI series for two decades.