India's beleaguered bowling unit faces its most searching examination of the series when the hosts take on the West Indies in the 3rd and final ODI at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, on Saturday, 4 October 2025, at 2 PM IST. Though India hold an unassailable 2-0 lead, the match is far from inconsequential — not with the ODI World Cup exactly a year away and serious questions lingering over India's new-ball attack.

The Bowling Crisis in Focus

The defining subplot of this series has been the bat-dominated pitches at Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati, where a combined 811 runs were conceded across both matches. The conditions drew a rare public rebuke from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who called openly for a more balanced contest between bat and ball.

India's new-ball pair has been particularly culpable, managing just one wicket across the first 10 overs of both games while leaking 177 runs in the mandatory powerplay phase. Kuldeep Yadav has been left exposed in the middle overs without adequate support, throwing the spotlight squarely on veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has claimed only three wickets from his last eight ODI appearances.

Personnel Challenges for India

The selection headaches deepen ahead of Saturday. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out with a left hamstring injury, bringing uncapped pacer Anshul Kamboj into the squad as his replacement. Mohammed Siraj could return to the playing XI after sitting out the first two matches, but the right-armer has struggled for rhythm since the Test tour of Sri Lanka — taking just one wicket from 41 overs in last month's Duleep Trophy final.

With Jasprit Bumrah rested and pacers Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi still finding their footing at the international level, Saturday's dead rubber becomes a rare low-stakes, high-value audition for India's second-string bowling options.

Batting Brilliance From India's Top Order

In sharp contrast to the bowling concerns, India's batting has been imperious. Captain Shubman Gill was in breathtaking form at Guwahati, smashing an unbeaten 223 — the second double hundred of his ODI career — to anchor a record-breaking 406-run chase. He had already stroked a dazzling century in Thiruvananthapuram. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also contributed handsomely, and the home crowd in New Chandigarh will hope the trio fires once more.

West Indies: Looking to Salvage Pride

Despite trailing the series, the West Indies have shown plenty of resolve. Opener John Campbell and captain Shai Hope have consistently provided solid platforms at the top. The visitors may again be without Justin Greaves, who suffered a calf injury while hitting 101 in Thiruvananthapuram. Middle-order power-hitters Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, and Keemo Paul will be tasked with converting those starts and sparing the tourists a 3-0 series whitewash.

Match Details and Squads

When: Saturday, 4 October 2025, 2 PM IST
Where: New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh
Live TV: Star Sports Network
Live Stream: JioHotstar app and website

India squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain & wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj.

West Indies squad: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (captain & wk), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes.

With the series already sealed, the real contest on Saturday may be less about the scoreboard and more about whether India's bowlers can give Gambhir — and the selectors — enough reasons for optimism ahead of a World Cup year.