The series of 3 ODI and 5 T20 matches between India and West Indies will start from September 27. First ODI series will be organized. After this, T20 series will be played from 6th October. Team India for both these series will be announced on Wednesday (16 September). The selection committee can include senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the ODI team.
Hardik has not played any match since IPL 2026. Hardik is completely fit but the selection committee will have to decide whether he is ready to bowl 10 overs and field up to 50 overs in ODIs or not. Rishabh Pant's name can also be discussed for the ODI team. It is believed that the same team will be selected for the T20 series, which will participate in the Asian Games. The selection committee may have to puzzle while selecting the ODI team.
The selection committee meeting will be held in Delhi, in which Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar is also likely to attend. Apart from team selection, Agarkar's future will also be decided in this meeting. Agarkar's contract ends in October. He will discuss with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials whether his contract should be extended till the 2027 World Cup or not.
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If Hardik is not available then there will be problem
If 32-year-old Hardik is not available, then the lack of fast bowling all-rounders will become a problem for the selection committee. The second option is that Nitish Kumar Reddy will be in Japan to participate in the Asian Games during the ODI series. Third and fourth options Suryansh Shedge and Venkatesh Iyer are currently injured.
Due to Pant's poor performance in the IPL, he lost the Test vice-captaincy and also did not get a place in the ODI team, but due to Ishan Kishan being in Japan, this talented left-handed batsman may get a chance in the 15-member team. Even if he is selected, KL Rahul will remain the first choice as ODI wicketkeeper.
Rahul can also be appointed vice-captain of the ODI team in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. If Pant does not get a chance then the selectors can choose Dhruv Jurel. In such a situation, Pant can be asked to captain Rest of India in the Irani Cup.
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Rituraj may also get a chance
Due to Shreyas' participation in the Asian Games, Rituraj Gaikwad may get a chance to bat at number four after captain Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the reserve opener, while the middle-order reserve batsman will be Rajat Patidar. Both Gaikwad and Patidar are likely to play for India A after the ODI series against West Indies. Gaikwad can be made the captain for this.
Jadeja's return confirmed
Ravindra Jadeja, who was not selected for the ODI series in England, may be called back into the team as Harsh Dubey was injured during the recent Duleep Trophy semi-final match. Harsh Dubey and Axar Patel were being seen as left-arm spinners for ODIs but in their absence the selectors may include Jadeja in the team. The name of human betterment can also be considered.
Akshar will play in the Asian Games. If injured Varun Chakraborty is unable to play in the Asian Games and Kuldeep Yadav is included in the team, then a big problem will arise in front of the selectors. Then if they need a wrist spinner, they will have to resort to bowlers like Vipraj Nigam or Zeeshan Ansari.
Will Siraj return to the ODI team?
Mohammed Siraj was not part of the ODI team for the England tour but he is likely to return. In the fast bowling department, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Prince Yadav were part of the last series. Jasprit Bumrah will not be available due to being busy in the Asian Games. At present, the chances of experienced players like Mohammed Shami and Yuzvendra Chahal getting a chance in the team are very less.