India captain Shubman Gill has been cleared to play in the first ODI against West Indies at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, 28 September 2026, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed at a pre-match press conference. The all-clear came after Gill took a sharp blow to his right elbow during a Friday practice session.

Elbow Scare During Training

Gill was struck on his right elbow by a rising delivery from fast bowler Mohammed Siraj in the nets on Friday. The right-hander required on-ground medical attention for nearly 20 minutes before resuming throwdowns, raising concerns ahead of the series opener. Kotak, however, put those fears to rest. 'I think he is fine and good to go,' the batting coach told reporters.

Jaiswal's Bench Role: Competition, Not Injustice

Kotak also addressed the recurring debate around talented opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has frequently been overlooked for ODIs despite impressive numbers across formats. With Gill and Rohit Sharma occupying the top of the order, Jaiswal has found limited room in the white-ball setup.

'See, I think it is due to so much of competition and so many players are performing. Jaiswal is obviously, we all know he is one of the best and whenever he gets an opportunity, he performs,' said Kotak. He added that head coach Gautam regularly speaks to Jaiswal and that the support staff monitors his skills and mindset closely. 'He should keep working hard and waiting for his opportunities,' Kotak said, drawing a parallel: if three top-quality wicketkeepers are available, only one can play.

Jadeja Back in White-Ball Frame

Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returns to the ODI set-up with Axar Patel currently committed to the T20I squad for the Asian Games in Japan. Kotak spoke warmly of Jadeja's standing in the side. 'Jadeja is an outstanding all-rounder… He bowls, bats and the experience he has — experience is something you cannot beat,' said the batting coach, placing Jadeja alongside Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as players who bring irreplaceable experience to the dressing room. He noted that Jadeja had featured in the South Africa series when Axar was rested, though he clarified that selection decisions rest with the panel and not the support staff.

What to Watch at Greenfield

Sunday's opener at Thiruvananthapuram will be the first competitive look at India's ODI combinations under captain Gill ahead of a packed bilateral calendar. With Jaiswal's place uncertain and Jadeja's role still being defined around Axar's availability, team management faces real selection calls beyond just Gill's fitness. All eyes will be on the playing XI when it is announced.