By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
MUMBAI, India | September 18, 2026 —
India will launch its 2026-27 international home season against the West Indies on September 27, with the first match of a three-ODI series scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram.
The opening ODI will begin at 2:00 PM IST at the Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium, also widely known as Greenfield International Stadium.
The series carries extra interest because Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in India’s ODI squad, while Shubman Gill will lead the team and KL Rahul will serve as vice-captain.
For India, the West Indies series also begins an important phase of preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India vs West Indies 1st ODI on September 27
The first ODI will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27.
The second match is scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati, while the three-match ODI series will conclude on October 3 in New Chandigarh.
All three ODIs will start at 2:00 PM IST.
India vs West Indies ODI Schedule
1st ODI: September 27 — Thiruvananthapuram — 2:00 PM IST
2nd ODI: September 30 — Guwahati — 2:00 PM IST
3rd ODI: October 3 — New Chandigarh — 2:00 PM IST
The ODI leg will then be followed by a five-match T20I series beginning in Lucknow on October 6.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return
One of the biggest attractions of the series will be the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India’s ODI setup.
Both senior batters have been selected for the three-match series as India begins another important stage in its build-up to the 2027 World Cup.
Their presence adds considerable experience to a squad that also includes several younger players.
Shubman Gill will captain the ODI side, with KL Rahul named vice-captain.
The leadership arrangement gives Gill another opportunity to shape India’s 50-over team while playing alongside two of the most experienced ODI batters of the modern era.
Ravindra Jadeja Back in ODI Squad
Ravindra Jadeja has also returned to the ODI squad.
His inclusion gives India an experienced spin-bowling all-rounder and another senior option during the middle overs.
Kuldeep Yadav is also part of the squad, giving India two established spin options.
The pace attack includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi.
Two Players Earn Maiden ODI Call-Ups
The selectors have also introduced fresh faces.
Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi have received their first ODI call-ups, giving India an opportunity to assess new options ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
Nitish Kumar Reddy is also included in the ODI squad after being withdrawn from India’s Asian Games squad.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dhruv Jurel provide additional batting and wicketkeeping options.
India ODI Squad vs West Indies
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.
Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant are not part of the squad.
Five T20Is to Follow ODI Series
The West Indies tour will continue after the ODI series with five T20 internationals.
The T20I leg begins on October 6 in Lucknow.
India will then play in Ranchi on October 9, Indore on October 11, Hyderabad on October 14 and Bengaluru on October 17.
Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the T20I series.
The T20 squad also includes Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
India vs West Indies T20I Schedule
1st T20I: October 6 — Lucknow — 7:00 PM IST
2nd T20I: October 9 — Ranchi — 7:00 PM IST
3rd T20I: October 11 — Indore — 7:00 PM IST
4th T20I: October 14 — Hyderabad — 7:00 PM IST
5th T20I: October 17 — Bengaluru — 7:00 PM IST
Where to Watch India vs West Indies 2026
India’s home international season will be available on Star Sports Network on television.
Digital streaming will be available through JioHotstar.
The India-West Indies series is the first assignment in a home season that will also bring Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia to India.
Why This ODI Series Matters
The West Indies series is more than the opening event of India’s home season.
India has relatively limited ODI cricket available before the 2027 World Cup, which makes every 50-over series increasingly important for team combinations and player evaluation.
The presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gives the selectors continuity and experience.
At the same time, players such as Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Yashasvi Jaiswal represent the next group competing for long-term roles.
That mix of established stars and emerging players makes the three-match series particularly significant.
When India walk out in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, the match will therefore mark two beginnings: the start of the 2026-27 home season and another major phase in India’s preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
