India bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has praised the enormous influence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the squad, saying their combined experience — stretching across nearly 600 One-Day Internationals — adds unmatched pedigree and rubs off directly on the younger players. His remarks came ahead of the second ODI of the three-match series against the West Indies, scheduled in Guwahati on Wednesday, 29 September.

Kohli's Century and the Leadership Duo's Impact

Kohli struck an unbeaten 139* in the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram, while Rohit contributed 32 runs to help India secure a comprehensive win and take a 1-0 lead in the series. Bahutule was effusive in his assessment of Kohli's appetite for improvement.

'I think he is somebody who's just getting better and better with each series and each game,' Bahutule told reporters. 'He is somebody who wants to improve despite achieving so much, which is fabulous.'

On the duo's broader influence, he added: 'Rohit also being in the side, both of them just get that experience into the side, and I think all the youngsters rub upon. And they thrive upon their experience, the conversations they have. It is definitely something which helps the youngsters by their presence.'

Kuldeep Yadav: A Match-Winner in Any Conditions

The first ODI was set up significantly by left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed 4/40 off 10 overs to peg the West Indies back to 295/7 after they had made a flying start. Bahutule underlined Kuldeep's importance to India's bowling attack.

'Kuldeep has always been a match winner for India. He's performed exceedingly well. His numbers also show that, and he works extremely hard at his game,' Bahutule said. He noted that Kuldeep had recently completed a county stint where he bowled a high volume of overs, arriving at the series well-prepared. 'Being a spinner, a chinaman bowler definitely adds value to the team,' he added.

Spin Options Ahead of the 2027 World Cup

With each ODI carrying added significance in the lead-up to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next year, Bahutule highlighted that India benefits from considerable depth in spin bowling. He pointed to Axar Patel as another option whose utility would be assessed across upcoming tournaments and series.

He also backed Ravindra Jadeja, noting his improvement with the ball over the last six months. 'For me, he has always been a utility player. He is somebody who can contribute with the bat as well as with the ball. He has definitely improved as a bowler over the last six months,' Bahutule said. Meanwhile, captain Shubman Gill also starred in the first ODI with a century — 110 — alongside Kohli's unbeaten knock.

What to Watch in Guwahati

India will look to seal the series with a match to spare at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. A second successive win would give the team's spin-heavy combination further validation ahead of next year's World Cup, with Bahutule's comments suggesting the coaching staff view the current lineup as close to their preferred combination for spin-friendly conditions.