India vs West Indies Prediction & Match Preview – 1st ODI, Thiruvananthapuram
Match summary
India won by 8 wickets: India 300/2 (41.4 ov), West Indies 295/7 (50 ov). Player of the match: Kuldeep Yadav.
Our preview of India vs West Indies in the 1st ODI at Greenfield International Stadium on 27 September 2026: squads, likely XIs, pitch, weather and scores.
Match details
| Match | India vs West Indies, 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | West Indies tour of India 2026 |
| Date | 27 Sep 2026 |
| Start time | 8:00 am GMT / 1:30 pm local |
| Venue | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Status | Result |
| Result | India won by 8 wickets |
| Player of the match | Kuldeep Yadav |
| Our pick | India ✓ |
| Toss pick | India |
Matches in this series
Match preview
India begin a three-match home ODI series against West Indies at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday 27 September, with both teams looking to build momentum ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Shubman Gill leads India and enters the series in good form, having been India’s leading run-scorer in their recent ODI series against England. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return, now concentrating on ODI cricket. KL Rahul provides stability and keeps wicket, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Naman Dhir are further options. Ravindra Jadeja is the key all-rounder, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Auqib Nabi adding balance. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna lead the pace attack, with Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja in the middle overs, and Gurnoor Brar keeps his place.
West Indies are captained by Shai Hope, who also keeps wicket. Keacy Carty and John Campbell are expected to open, with Sherfane Rutherford adding power and experience of Indian conditions, and young talent Jewel Andrew one to watch. Roston Chase, Justin Greaves and Keemo Paul are all-round options. Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales lead the pace, with Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie and Vitel Lawes in support.
A score of around 275 or more should be competitive, and 290 would put the batting side in a strong position.
Greenfield International Stadium is generally balanced, with good pace and bounce early for seamers. Batters can score freely once set, but the surface can slow and bring spinners and slower variations into play. Coastal humidity can help the new ball move a little. Dew in the evening can make chasing easier, which is one reason the toss-winning captain might choose to bowl.
Warm and humid, at about 31–33°C at the 1:30 pm local start, partly to mostly sunny. A passing shower cannot be fully ruled out, but the chance of rain in the early afternoon is relatively low. Moderate winds may ease the humidity.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 240–270 | 300/2 (41.4 ov) |
| Second innings | 270–300 | 295/7 (50 ov) |
India
India have far more experience, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the ODI side, so our preview picks them to win.
Toss pick: India
FAQ
How long is the series?
It is a three-match home ODI series for India against West Indies, starting in Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September.
Who captains each side?
Shubman Gill leads India and Shai Hope captains West Indies.
Why is the series significant?
Both teams are building momentum ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
India
- Rohit Sharma
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gillc
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahulwk
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Gurnoor Brar
- Mohammed Siraj
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
West Indies
- Shai Hopec, wk
- Amir Jangoo
- John Campbell
- Keacy Carty
- Jewel Andrew
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Matthew Forde
- Gudakesh Motie
- Vitel Lawes
- Shamar Joseph
- Alzarri Joseph
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of India and West Indies that we covered.