Mumbai, Sept 17:
Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match home series against the West Indies, marking their comeback to the 50-over side after a two-month gap. Shubman Gill will continue to lead the team, while KL Rahul has been named vice-captain as India begin their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rohit’s return comes amid continued speculation over his future in the ODI format. The veteran opener had a mixed outing during the recent England series but produced a memorable 137 in the series decider at Lord’s. His inclusion in the squad indicates that he remains part of India’s plans for the 50-over format, at least for the upcoming home assignment.
Kohli has also been recalled as India look to build a strong core ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The former captain remains an important part of the ODI setup, with his experience expected to strengthen the batting line-up alongside Rohit and Gill.
The squad also features two new faces. All-rounder Naman Dhir and pacer Auqib Nabi have received their maiden ODI call-ups after making an impression in domestic and limited-overs cricket. Their inclusion provides an opportunity for the selectors to assess new options as India begin preparations for the next World Cup cycle.
Ravindra Jadeja has also returned to the 50-over squad, adding experience and balance to the side. Nitish Kumar Reddy, meanwhile, has been moved out of the Asian Games squad to join the ODI team, giving the team management another all-round option.
The West Indies series will provide India with an opportunity to test its combination while balancing experience with emerging talent. The return of Rohit and Kohli will be among the major talking points, particularly with the next ODI World Cup less than two years away.
In the T20I squad, Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain. One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant are notable absentees from India’s squads for the West Indies series. The selections also indicate that the team management is continuing to assess its options across formats with the Asian Games campaign approaching.
India ODI squad: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi and others.