India look to solidify 2027 World Cup plans, West Indies seek more bowling bite

Cricknation Update: India trying to solidify 2027 World Cup plans, West Indies looking for more bowling attack While both teams would mainly like to win, they have their own questions to address The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj takes five wickets in a span of ten balls, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Chandigarh, Chandigarh hopes to be India’s first planned city and it shows, uploaded on 27 November 2001.

After Thiruvananthuram, the India-West Indies ODI series moves to Guwahati, and while it is a dramatic change in land – from the south-western tip of India to the north-east – the objectives of both teams do not change that much. Both teams, first of all, would like to win – India wants to win the series, West Indies wants to survive. The next priority for India is to take another step forward towards finding its best 15 for the 2027 World Cup in Southern Africa.

They began this series with an interesting combination featuring three allrounders and only three specialist bowlers, and look set to continue with that set-up in Guwahati. Will Nitish Kumar Reddy continue to get the new ball? How will Naman Dhir’s offbreaks hold up for a second successive ODI?

And with Axar Patel away at the Asian Games, can Ravindra Jadeja make a big push to stay in the World Cup conversation? There is a World Cup qualifier for West Indies in February-March. And to that end, they will want to build on the positives from Thiruvananthuram, and put in more rounded performances over the rest of this series.

They showed great promise with the bat in that first ODI, but they’ll want to show they can do it again, and do it across all phases of an innings. And they’ll definitely want to show more wicket-taking teeth with the ball – to this end they could look at sacrificing some of their batting depth to bring in either Shamar Joseph or the left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes. India WLLWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) West Indies LWLLL Nitish Kumar Reddy began the first ODI with a 17-run over, overpitching frequently and getting hit for four fours by Justin Greaves.

This was the second over of the match and India did not use it again in the first powerplay. He came back later, however, and pulled things back fairly well in his last four overs, including giving away just seven runs and taking a wicket in the final over of the innings. Given the questions around Hardik Pandya’s fitness, Reddy becomes a vital player in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.

He has added a yard of pace in recent months, and India will hope his bowling continues to grow as they look to mold him into a world-class seam-bowling all-rounder across all formats. It seems unlikely India will abandon the three-allrounder combination of Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja and Naman Dhir after just one match, which means Mohammed Siraj remains on the bench unless India rotate out one of their frontline quicks. India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill (c), 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Naman Dheer, 7 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Gurnoor Brar, 11 Famous Krishna Kuldeep Yadav celebrates a wicket with KL Rahul and ctain Shubman Gill, India vs. West Indies, 1st ODI, Thiruvananthuram, September 27, 2026 Greaves, who scored a century in the first game, has been ruled out of the second ODI due to a calf injury.

In his absence, Jewel Andrew may move up the order. Sherfane Rutherford, meanwhile, is expected to rejoin the squad after missing the first ODI for personal reasons. He could slot into the middle order.

However, the intriguing question is how West Indies can potentially bring in Shamar or Laws without giving up too much of their batting strength. West Indies (probable): 1 John Campbell, 2 Jewel Andrew, 3 Casey Carty, 4 Shai Hope (c & wk), 5 Ameer Zangu, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Matthew Ford, 9 Gudakesh Moti, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales The Barsara Stadium has hosted two ODIs so far, and both Are high scoring. In the first , in 2018, West Indies posted a healthy 322 only for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to score rid hundreds to lead India to victory with 47 balls remaining.

In the second , India posted a mammoth 373 against Sri Lanka and won by 67 runs. A scorching hot day is expected in Guwahati, with maximum temperatures in the mid 30s (Celsius). There is a chance of thunderstorms interrung play.

Kuldeep Yadav needs two wickets to become the ninth India bowler to 200 in men’s ODIs. Of the other eight, only Mohammed Shami’s average and strike rate are better than Kuldeep’s 26.7 and 31.6. Virat Kohli has scored centuries in both the ODI matches so far at the Barsara Stadium and has won the Player of the Match award.

Kohli touched the 15,000-run mark during the first ODI. Some distance behind, but proaching a significant milestone, is Rohit Sharma. He is 73 runs away from becoming only the seventh batsman and third Indian to score 12,000 runs in men’s ODIs.

India have won 11 of their last 12 ODI matches against West Indies. Kuldeep Yadav celebrates wicket with KL Rahul and ctain Shubman Gill, India vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Thiruvananthurm, Sep 27, 2026 Century and it’s gone! That’s a rather soft dismissal for John Campbell.

This short ball sits up nicely and he tries to take it on the pull. The ball hit the bat high and did not go the distance, and Dheer took the catch to his left through deep midwicket, ending a brilliant innings, John Campbell’s century was the fifth fastest for West Indies, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 John Campbell scored fifty off just 29 balls, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Complete Stunner Naman Dheer Se! Casey Carty stands by his point, even though an eye test has shown it to be false.

Was a leading edge off another lofted drive. Ball was dragged shorter outside off by the bowler, leading Carty to reach for this shot more than he would have liked. Naman Dhir les in the air and pouches this just before he hits the turf.

However, the third umpire on replay believes, “That angle won’t help me, because Dheer’s leg comes in the way of the replay shot… When we go for a front angle, it’s clear “fingers are under the ball”. It is outside – Dheer has kept it safely in the bag; Katy is gone…

Slot ball on the stumps, Hope Cross goes for the batting slog! But the outside edge flies high and goes towards the wrong end. Nabi took the catch towards deep backward point.

Kuldeep’s smart bowling ultimately proved successful for India. But they have been battered here, so it’s rightly a silent celebration… Oh, that’s soft from Jangu, and Jadeja breaks a very long wicketless streak.

Length ball angled across and it was there to be hit, but Jangoo cuts it straight to the fielder. West Indies’ third centurion also goes back to the dugout. That was Jadeja’s first wicket after 42 overs.

His last wicket came in December 2025! Oh, Rutherford looks to go on the offensive right from the start, but he’s fallen for a golden duck . Back of length around leg and Rutherford looks to pull it.

The ball hit the bat high and went towards deep square leg, where Jaiswal showed safe hands, Kuldeep Yadav got his 200th ODI wicket, but he hardly celebrated. This is tossed up full and slow on middle and leg and Paul is cramped for room as he looks to go downtown. The ball ended up going right down Virat Kohli’s throat at long-on Alzari holed up at deep square leg.

This is Jadeja’s second wicket and he won’t care how he gets it. It’s a touch short and Alzarri is caught between the flick and the pull. In the end this ball reached very close to the fielder, Naman Dheer hit an amazing four at point!

Keacy Carty is standing his ground, though the eye test has this penned down as out. Was a leading edge off another lofted drive. The ball was pulled short outside off by the bowler, causing Carty to reach the shot further than expected.

Naman Dheer jumps in the air and pats it just before it falls on the turf. However, the third umpire on replay believes, “That angle won’t help me, because Dheer’s leg comes in the way of the replay shot… When we go for a front angle, it’s clear “fingers are under the ball”.

It is outside – Dheer has kept it safely in the bag; Katy is gone… John Campbell completes his half-century off just 29 balls, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, Sep 30, 2026 Century and gone! That’s a rather soft dismissal for John Campbell.

This short ball sits up nicely and he tries to take it on the pull. The ball hits high on the bat and doesn’t go the distance, and Dhir moves to his left from deep midwicket and takes the catch, ending a stunning knock Oh, Rutherford looks to go on the offensive right from the start, but he’s fallen for a golden duck . Back of length around leg and Rutherford looks to pull it.

The ball hit the bat high and went towards deep square leg, where Jaiswal showed safe hands, oh that’s soft from Jangu, and Jadeja broke a very long wicketless streak. Length ball angled across and it was there to be hit, but Jangoo cuts it straight to the fielder. West Indies’ third centurion also went back to the dugout.

That was Jadeja’s first wicket after 42 overs. His last wicket came in December 2025! Alzarri holes out at deep square leg .

It’s a second wicket for Jadeja, and he won’t mind how he’s got that. It’s a touch short and Alzarri is caught between the flick and the pull. Ends up whipping it up too close to the fielder John Campbell’s century was the fifth-fastest for West Indies, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Slot ball at the stumps, Hope goes for a cross-batted slog!

But the outside edge flies high and goes towards the wrong end. Nabi took the catch towards deep backward point. Kuldeep’s smart bowling ultimately proved successful for India.

But he has been beaten here, so it is a silent celebration… Kuldeep Yadav gets his 200th ODI wicket, but he barely celebrates. It is bowled full and slow on middle and leg and Paul lacks room as he looks to go to town.

An absolute stunner at long-on from Naman Dheer at point, the ball ends up going straight down Virat Kohli’s throat! Casey Carty stands by his point, even though an eye test has shown it to be false. Was a leading edge off another lofted drive.

Ball was dragged shorter outside off by the bowler, leading Carty to reach for this shot more than he would have liked. Naman Dheer jumps in the air and pats it just before it falls on the turf. “That angle’s not going to help me,” the third ump reckons on the replay, though, because Dhir’s legs gets in the way of the replay shot…

When we go for a front angle, it’s clear “fingers are under the ball”. It is outside – Dheer has kept it safely in the bag; Katy is gone… Century and gone!

That’s a rather soft dismissal for John Campbell. This short ball sits up nicely and he tries to take it on the pull. The ball hit the bat high and did not go the distance, and Dheer took the catch to his left through deep midwicket, ending a brilliant innings, John Campbell’s century was the fifth fastest for West Indies, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 John Campbell scored fifty off just 29 balls, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 slot ball. Stumps, Hope goes for the cross batting slog!

But the outside edge flies high and goes towards the wrong end. Nabi nabs the catch down towards deep backward point. Kuldeep’s smart bowling has finally broken through for India.

But they have been battered here, so it’s rightly a silent celebration… Oh, Rutherford looks to go on the offensive right from the start, but he’s fallen for a golden duck . Back of length around leg and Rutherford looks to pull it.

Ball hits high on the bat and balloons up towards deep square leg, where Jaiswal shows safe hands Oh, that’s soft from Jangoo, and Jadeja breaks a very long wicketless streak . The length ball was angled and meant to be hit, but Jangu cut it straight to the fielder. West Indies’ third centurion also went back to the dugout.

That was Jadeja’s first wicket after 42 overs. His last wicket came in December 2025! Kuldeep Yadav got his 200th ODI wicket, but he hardly celebrated.

This is tossed up full and slow on middle and leg and Paul is cramped for room as he looks to go downtown. Ends up hitting it right down Virat Kohli’s throat at long-on Alzarri holes out at deep square leg . This is Jadeja’s second wicket and he won’t care how he gets it.

It’s a touch short and Alzarri is caught between the flick and the pull. Ends up whipping it up too close to the fielder Seales is very enthusiastic in his peal, and the umpire is quick to raise his finger! Rohit reviews, though.

Possibly an inside edge? Length ball outside off goes past the inside edge to r Rohit on the back foot. And that’s crashing into top of leg stump!

A 255-run opening stand is broken, and it’s West Indies’ best bowler on the day, arguably, to deliver the breakthrough. Kohli gives Rohit a d as they cross paths and Rohit walks off to rousing plause Rohit Sharma got to his fifty in 32 deliveries, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 All finesse from Kohli but he’s been outclassed by Rutherford down at deep backward point! There was a bouncer, Kohli calmly ramped it behind him, where the fielder is positioned for a similar shot.

Rutherford runs, catches it, throws it into the air as it crosses the cushion, and then he comes back and makes the catch again. Lots of double-triple takes but in the end, Rutherford has completed a clean catch. Kohli comes in after 255 have already been scored in a 406 chase, and departs at 320!

We live in bizarro world and Kohli walks back. Seales is very excited in his voice, and the umpire immediately raises his finger! Rohit reviews, though.

Possibly an inside edge? Length ball outside off stump and took the inside edge to send Rohit on the back foot. And that’s crashing into top of leg stump!

A 255-run opening stand is broken, and it’s West Indies’ best bowler on the day, arguably, to deliver the breakthrough. Kohli gives Rohit a d as they cross paths and Rohit walks off to rousing plause All finesse from Kohli but he’s been outclassed by Rutherford down at deep backward point! Was a bouncer, Kohli calmly ramps this behind him, where the fielder has been placed for this exact kind of shot.

Rutherford runs, catches it, throws it into the air as it crosses the cushion, and then he comes back and makes the catch again. Lots of double-triple takes but in the end, Rutherford has completed a clean catch. Kohli comes in after 255 have already been scored in a 406 chase, and departs at 320!

We live in bizarro world and Kohli walks back. Rohit Sharma brings up his half-century in 32 balls, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, Sep 30, 2026 Seales is very enthusiastic in his shouting, and the umpire immediately raises his finger! Rohit reviews, though.

Possibly an inside edge? Length ball outside off goes past the inside edge to r Rohit on the back foot. And that’s crashing into top of leg stump!

The opening partnership of 255 is broken, and the man who delivered the breakthrough is, arguably, West Indies’ best bowler on the day. Kohli gives Rohit a d as they cross paths and Rohit walks off to rousing plause Rohit Sharma got to his fifty in 32 deliveries, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 All finesse from Kohli but he’s been outclassed by Rutherford down at deep backward point! There was a bouncer, Kohli calmly ramped it behind him, where the fielder is positioned for a similar shot.

Rutherford runs, catches it, throws it into the air as it crosses the cushion, and then he comes back and makes the catch again. Lots of double-triple takes but in the end, Rutherford has completed a clean catch. Kohli comes in after 255 have already been scored in a 406 chase, and departs at 320!

We live in bizarro world and Kohli walks back. The target of 406 India were faced with didn’t seem to perturb the fans, who knew they would still win, and then it was just a matter of waiting for and celebrating the milestones India coach also felt that wickets offering so little for bowlers were “not fair”, making it difficult for them to have a meaningful impact on the game Ravindra Jadeja has a chat with Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 The India ctain scored his second ODI double-century and shared a 255-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored a 75-ball 101 himself Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill brought up successive 100-plus stands, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Stats highlights from Guwahati, where Shubman Gill scored the fastest ever ODI double-hundred and Rohit Sharma blazed past 12000 runs Shubman Gill brought up a 62-ball ton in the chase, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 The West Indies opener has returned to ODI cricket at a stage of his career when opportunities cannot be assumed to stretch indefinitely ahead John Campbell’s century was the fifth-fastest for West Indies, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on whether extremely batting-friendly wickets spell disaster for ODI cricket Aakash Chopra believes that such high-scoring games are alright as long as they remain a ‘once in a while’ affair Aakash Chopra reflects on Shubman Gill’s incredible double-ton that helped India chase down a 400+ total with ease India absolutely strolled to the second successful chase of over 400 in ODI cricket in just 43.3 overs Shubman Gill’s 117-ball double-hundred was the fastest in ODI history, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Kuldeep Yadav celebrates a wicket with KL Rahul and ctain Shubman Gill, India vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Thiruvananthuram, September 27, 2026 A general view of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024 A general view of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024 A general view of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024 IND vs WI 2026/27, IND vs WI 2nd ODI Match Preview – India look to solidify 2027 World Cup plans, West Indies seek more bowling bite IND vs WI 2026/27 India vs West Indies Match Preview: While both teams will mainly be looking to win, they have their own questions to address The kid who was always ahead of schedule: Jewel Andrew’s rise to the big leagues Jadeja or Axar? India to make ‘utility’ decision ahead of 2027 World Cup Kuldeep reels West Indies in, Gill and Kohli tons knock them out Have rhythm, will groove – Kuldeep plays a joyful tune ‘There is clarity within the team, there is clarity in me’ – Prasidh on his growth as a bowler Karthik Krishnaswamy reported on India won by 8 wickets (with 39 balls remaining) Bowlers get a battering in bat vs bat bash in Barsara ‘This is not cricket, this is only batting’ – Gambhir after India’s record ODI chase Gill and Rohit flip the script – ‘After the powerplay, the pressure wasn’t on us’ Stats – 811 runs and five century-makers as run-scoring records fall Campbell makes up for lost time with a Guwahati century to savour Kotak: You definitely feel for the bowlers Aakash Chopra reacts to Gambhir saying ‘this was batting, not cricket’ Chopra: Gill and India reached 406 with ‘astonishing ease’