India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Date, venue, squads and where to watch
Synopsis
India open a three-match ODI series against West Indies on 28 September in Thiruvananthapuram — their first fifty-over home assignment with Kohli and Rohit back in harness since July. With the ODI World Cup 2027 just over a year away and West Indies fighting to avoid a second straight World Cup miss, both sides have plenty riding on this series beyond the results alone.
Key Takeaways
India vs West Indies 1st ODI kicks off on 28 September 2026 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram .
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to ODI action after a break since the England series in mid-July .
The series is part of India's build-up to the ODI World Cup 2027 , now just over a year away.
West Indies have not automatically qualified for the 2027 World Cup and must go through qualifiers in February 2027 .
Live telecast on Star Sports Network ; streaming on JioHotstar app and website.
The 3rd ODI is scheduled for 3 October at PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A .
India launch their three-match ODI series against West Indies on Sunday, 28 September 2026 at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, with the contest doubling as a key preparatory block ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027, now just over a year away. The series marks the return of senior stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to limited-overs cricket after an extended break following the away England ODI series in mid-July.
Kohli, Rohit and the Return of the Seniors
Rohit Sharma arrives in confident form, having hammered a century in the third ODI against England amid swirling speculation about his long-term future with the national side. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has been in strong touch across formats this year. All eyes will be on how both veterans settle back into the fifty-over rhythm as India gear up for World Cup preparations in earnest.
Bench Strength on Show
With several Indian stars away on Asian Games gold-medal defence duty, the series offers a timely opportunity to assess the country's depth. Players including Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, Ramandeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, and Auqib Nabi will be eager to press their World Cup cases. It also remains to be seen how much game time captain Shubman Gill extends to third-opener option Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is listed as back-up to both Rohit and Gill at the top of the order.
What Is at Stake for West Indies
For West Indies, the series carries greater urgency. The Caribbean side has not automatically qualified for the ODI World Cup 2027 and must navigate the qualifying route in February 2027 — a path that would spare them the embarrassment of a consecutive World Cup absence after they also failed to qualify for the 2023 edition. The three games against India provide competitive preparation at the highest level ahead of that critical qualifier.
Schedule, Venues and Broadcast Details
The three-match schedule is as follows: the 1st ODI takes place on Sunday, 28 September at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram; the 2nd ODI is on Wednesday, 1 October at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati; and the 3rd ODI concludes the series on Friday, 3 October at PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A. The series will be televised on the Star Sports Network, with live streaming available on JioHotstar (app and website).
Full Squads
India: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
West Indies: Shai Hope (C), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.
With the World Cup clock ticking and several form battles unresolved, how India utilise these three games could shape their squad calculus well into 2027.
Point of View
But in very different ways. India are using it to answer squad questions: can Rohit sustain his late-career ODI resurgence, and does Jaiswal cement a third-opener role? For West Indies, the stakes are existential in a cricketing sense — consecutive World Cup absences would be a structural crisis for a team that invented limited-overs bravado. What mainstream previews underplay is the qualifying jeopardy West Indies face; these three matches are, for them, competitive preparation for a February 2027 mission that will define their ODI relevance for the next cycle.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the India vs West Indies 1st ODI?
The 1st ODI takes place on Sunday, 28 September 2026 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. It is the opening game of a three-match ODI series between India and West Indies.
Where can I watch the India vs West Indies ODI series live?
The series will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Live streaming is available on the JioHotstar app and website for subscribers.
What are the venues and dates for all three ODIs?
The 1st ODI is on 28 September at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram; the 2nd ODI is on 1 October at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati; and the 3rd ODI is on 3 October at PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A.
Why are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma significant for this series?
Both senior batters are returning to ODI cricket after a break since India's away England ODI series in mid-July 2026. Rohit scored a century in the final England ODI and Kohli has been in strong touch, making their form and fitness a central storyline ahead of World Cup preparations.
Why must West Indies play World Cup qualifiers?
West Indies have not automatically qualified for the ODI World Cup 2027 and will need to come through a qualifying tournament in February 2027. They also failed to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup, making qualification a priority to avoid a second consecutive absence from the global showpiece.
