Rohit returns as India name squads for WI white-ball series

New Delhi, Sep 16: Rohit Sharma has been included in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against the West Indies, while Hardik Pandya has been left out as the selectors begin shaping their plans with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than 18 months away. The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the ODI and T20I squads on Wednesday after the men’s selection committee, headed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, met in Delhi. India will play three ODIs against the West Indies from September 27 before the five-match T20I series begins on October 6. Rohit’s inclusion is the biggest talking point from the ODI selection. The former captain remains keen to continue playing in the 50-over format and push for a place in India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Rohit last played an ODI against England, scoring a century at Lord’s. However, his position in the team has remained uncertain since Shubman Gill took over as India’s ODI captain in 2025.Gill will continue to lead the side against the West Indies, with Rohit included as a senior batter. Virat Kohli has also been picked, while Yashasvi Jaiswal returns to the ODI squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been included among the top-order options, while KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel are the two wicketkeeping choices.The ODI squad comprises Gill (captain), 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 and Naman Dhir. Hardik’s absence is another significant development, although the all-rounder’s fitness has been a consideration for the selectors. The ODI squad has also been shaped by the Asian Games in Japan, which run from September 24 to October 3 and overlap with the entire West Indies ODI series. Several regular white-ball players selected for the Asian Games are therefore expected to be unavailable for the ODIs. The situation has opened the door for a number of players to stake their claims. Gaikwad returns to the ODI setup, while Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has earned a place in the squad. Rishabh Pant is another notable absentee, with Jurel selected as the wicketkeeping option alongside Rahul. The T20I squad presents a different picture, with Shreyas Iyer appointed captain and Tilak Varma named vice-captain. Abhishek Sharma and teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been included, while Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are the wicketkeeping options.The T20I squad also includes Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav. The five-match series comes at an important stage for India’s T20 setup as the selectors continue to assess their options following the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle. The timing of the series, immediately after the Asian Games, could also result in some regular players being unavailable for the early matches.The West Indies series will therefore provide opportunities for several players to strengthen their claims, while also giving the selectors a chance to assess combinations across both formats. The ODI series begins in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, followed by matches in Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3. The T20I leg starts in Lucknow on October 6. The remaining matches will be played in Ranchi on October 9, Indore on October 11, Hyderabad on October 14 and Bengaluru on October 16. With the next ODI World Cup already beginning to influence selection thinking, Rohit’s return gives the upcoming series an added layer of interest. For Gill and the younger members of the squad, meanwhile, the West Indies assignment represents another opportunity to establish themselves in India’s evolving white-ball setup. The West Indies series could therefore prove significant well beyond the results on the scoreboard, particularly for India’s evolving ODI combination. Rohit’s presence alongside Gill and Kohli will provide the selectors with another opportunity to assess how the experienced campaigners fit into a side being built with the 2027 World Cup in mind, while the younger players will be looking to make a strong enough impression to remain part of the longer-term plans. For Rohit, every ODI from here will carry added importance as he continues to push for a place in what could be another World Cup campaign, while Gill will have another chance to strengthen his leadership and establish his authority at the top of the batting order. The absence of several regulars because of the Asian Games also means players such as Gaikwad, Jurel and Auqib Nabi will have an important window to make their case. (PTI)