West Indies vs India 2026: Rohit-Kohli Return, Full Schedule, Squads & 8-Match Series Details

West Indies vs India 2026: Schedule, Squads, Match Dates, Venues & Latest Updates

The West Indies vs India 2026 white-ball series is set to become one of the biggest attractions of India’s 2026–27 home season, with eight international matches scheduled across eight different Indian cities.

West Indies will tour India for three One Day Internationals and five T20 Internationals, beginning with the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27 and ending with the fifth T20I in Bengaluru on October 17.

There are already several major storylines surrounding the series.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in India’s ODI squad, Shubman Gill will captain the 50-over team, and KL Rahul has been named vice-captain. India’s T20I side looks considerably younger, with Shreyas Iyer leading a squad that includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The series is also important because India are gradually building towards the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, while the T20I leg gives the selectors another opportunity to develop the next generation of India’s short-format team.

Here is everything currently confirmed about India vs West Indies 2026, including the complete schedule, match timings, venues, India squads, major selection calls and the latest updates.

West Indies vs India 2026 Series at a Glance

The official BCCI schedule confirms that the tour will visit Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

That means no venue will host more than one match during the series.

The West Indies vs India 2026 tour will begin just ten days after India’s ongoing Afghanistan T20I series concludes, while several Indian players also have Asian Games commitments around the same period.

That overlap has influenced some of India’s selections, particularly for the ODI squad.

West Indies vs India 2026 Full Schedule

The series starts with three ODIs before switching to the shortest format.

Here is the complete official schedule:

Both the BCCI and Cricket West Indies fixture pages list the same eight-match itinerary.

The schedule also gives the teams short breaks between matches, which will be important because every fixture is being played in a different city.

For followers of India vs West Indies 2026, the format of the tour creates two very different contests. The ODI series features several of India’s most experienced players, whereas the T20I series has a younger-looking Indian squad.

West Indies vs India 2026 ODI Schedule

The ODI leg begins in Thiruvananthapuram.

1st ODI – September 27

Venue: Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Start: 2:00 PM IST

This will officially open the West Indies tour of India.

It will also mark the beginning of another important ODI phase for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as India continue preparing for the 2027 World Cup.

2nd ODI – September 30

Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Start: 2:00 PM IST

The teams then move to Guwahati for the second ODI.

Depending on the first result, this could either become a series-deciding match or set up a final in New Chandigarh.

3rd ODI – October 3

Venue: PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A, New Chandigarh
Start: 2:00 PM IST

The three-match ODI leg concludes in New Chandigarh.

The West Indies vs India 2026 ODI series is particularly important from India’s long-term perspective because the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 remains the major target for the 50-over side. The ICC also noted that Gill will lead India as the team builds towards that tournament.

India ODI Squad for West Indies Series 2026

The BCCI announced India’s 15-member ODI squad on September 16.

India ODI squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vc), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.

The squad gives the India vs West Indies 2026 ODI series an interesting mixture of established stars and players trying to establish themselves before the next World Cup.

Two selections in particular stand out: Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir have received their maiden ODI call-ups. ICC also confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad has returned to the ODI setup, while Ravindra Jadeja is back after last appearing in the ODI series against New Zealand in January.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return to India’s ODI Squad

This will likely be the biggest attraction of the ODI leg.

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been selected for the three-match series.

Their inclusion immediately increases interest around the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, especially with India’s longer-term 2027 World Cup planning already underway.

However, neither has been given the captaincy.

Shubman Gill remains India’s ODI captain, while KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain for this series.

That gives West Indies vs India 2026 an unusual generational mix: two of India’s most experienced ODI batters will play under a captain who represents the next phase of the team.

Rather than viewing the series purely as a comeback story for Rohit and Kohli, it will be useful to watch how India distribute roles across the top order.

Gill, Rohit, Kohli, Jaiswal, Gaikwad and Rahul give the selectors several possible combinations.

The final playing XI will therefore be worth monitoring when India arrive in Thiruvananthapuram.

Why Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Matters

Gill’s role goes beyond these three matches.

The ICC specifically described the West Indies series as part of India’s attempt to build momentum towards the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

That makes every ODI series increasingly important.

The selectors need to determine not only which players belong in the World Cup pool but also how India’s batting order, pace attack and all-round options fit together.

Gill will therefore be managing a squad containing both senior internationals and relatively inexperienced selections.

For India vs West Indies 2026, his captaincy decisions could offer clues about India’s ODI direction.

Where does Rohit open?

Where does Kohli bat?

How does India fit Jaiswal or Gaikwad into the XI?

Who takes the wicketkeeping role?

Those questions could become more significant than the raw series scoreline when assessing India’s long-term plans.

Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir Get Maiden ODI Call-Ups

One of the most important selection developments has received less attention than the return of the senior stars.

Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir are both new additions at ODI level.

The ICC confirmed that Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden ODI call-up after previously being included in India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour without making his debut. Naman Dhir has also received his first ODI selection.

That gives the West Indies vs India 2026 ODI series another layer.

India are not simply bringing back established names. The selectors are simultaneously expanding the pool of players who could potentially contribute over the next year.

Whether either player makes his debut will depend on team balance and conditions.

But their inclusion itself is significant.

Ravindra Jadeja Back in the ODI Setup

Ravindra Jadeja’s return gives India another experienced option.

According to the ICC, Jadeja’s previous ODI appearance came during the home series against New Zealand in January 2026. He has now returned for the West Indies ODIs.

Jadeja can influence a match in three disciplines.

His left-arm spin provides control through the middle overs, his batting offers flexibility lower down the order, and his fielding remains an additional asset.

India also have Kuldeep Yadav as a frontline spin option.

The combination India chooses could vary by venue.

That is another reason the India vs West Indies 2026 ODI leg should not be treated as one fixed playing XI across all three matches.

Why Nitish Kumar Reddy Is Playing the West Indies ODIs

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection has a direct connection with India’s other commitments.

He was originally included in the Asian Games squad but has now been withdrawn from that squad and will instead feature in the ODI series against West Indies.

BCCI confirmed the change while announcing the latest squads on September 16.

Vipraj Nigam was brought into India’s updated Asian Games squad, while Nitish shifted towards the ODI assignment.

For the West Indies vs India 2026 series, Nitish gives the selectors an additional all-round option.

That could be valuable if India want greater batting depth without sacrificing too many bowling choices.

West Indies vs India 2026 T20I Schedule

After the third ODI, attention switches quickly to T20 cricket.

The five-match T20I series will run from October 6 to October 17.

1st T20I – October 6

Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Time: 7:00 PM IST

2nd T20I – October 9

Venue: JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi
Time: 7:00 PM IST

3rd T20I – October 11

Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
Time: 7:00 PM IST

4th T20I – October 14

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Time: 7:00 PM IST

5th T20I – October 17

Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Time: 7:00 PM IST

The India vs West Indies 2026 T20I series is particularly interesting because India have selected a very different group from the ODI squad.

There is no Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in this format. Instead, India will continue developing the younger T20 core that has featured heavily in recent assignments.

India T20I Squad vs West Indies 2026

India’s official T20I squad is:

Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma (vc), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav.

The West Indies vs India 2026 T20I squad immediately creates competition for places, especially in the batting order.

Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson can all operate near the top.

India therefore have several ways to structure their XI.

Shreyas Iyer to Captain India in Five T20Is

Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of the T20I team, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain.

That leadership structure will continue an important period for India’s evolving T20 side.

Iyer will have plenty of attacking batting options, but his bigger challenge may be choosing the correct balance.

India’s squad contains multiple spinners and all-rounders, along with high-pace options.

The five matches also take place at venues with very different characteristics.

Lucknow may demand a different combination from Bengaluru, while Indore has historically offered different scoring conditions again.

Consequently, India vs West Indies 2026 could see India rotate personnel rather than use exactly the same XI throughout the series.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Another Major Opportunity

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will naturally attract significant attention.

The teenager has been selected in India’s official T20I squad for the West Indies series.

His inclusion continues a remarkable rise.

But selection in the squad does not automatically mean he will play every match.

India already have substantial competition at the top of the order through Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.

That creates one of the most interesting selection stories of West Indies vs India 2026.

If Vaibhav gets opportunities, the five-match series provides a much longer window than a typical three-game assignment for the team management to assess how his aggressive batting translates to international cricket.

It also means his individual performances could generate several separate statistical stories during the series rather than this pillar page trying to cover everything.

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan: Who Keeps Wicket?

India have selected two established wicketkeeper-batters in the T20I squad.

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are both listed as wicketkeepers by the BCCI.

That creates competition in two areas.

First, India must decide who takes the gloves.

Second, the selectors need to determine how many of their wicketkeeper-batters can fit into the same top order alongside Abhishek and Vaibhav.

Samson enters this phase after an explosive 57 off 22 balls against Afghanistan, an innings that strengthened his case after a quieter run of scores.

For TeamStats readers, this selection contest will be worth tracking throughout the India vs West Indies 2026 T20Is because the answer may change depending on form and team balance.

Mayank Yadav Returns

Another notable development is the return of Mayank Yadav.

The ICC confirmed that Mayank is back in India’s setup after missing the T20I series against Afghanistan. Kuldeep Yadav and Prince Yadav have also been recalled.

Mayank’s pace gives India a different bowling option.

Alongside Arshdeep Singh, India can construct a pace attack with contrasting methods.

The selectors will also need to manage workload carefully across five matches in less than two weeks.

That makes India’s bowling combinations another major subplot of West Indies vs India 2026.

India’s Spin Options Look Extremely Deep

India have selected:

• Kuldeep Yadav
• Axar Patel
• Washington Sundar
• Ravi Bishnoi

That is significant depth.

Not all four are likely to play together, but having different styles gives India tactical flexibility.

Kuldeep provides left-arm wrist spin, Bishnoi offers another attacking wrist-spin option, while Axar and Washington can contribute with the bat.

The venue could dictate which combination India prefer.

For example, a surface offering grip may encourage an additional spinner, while a batting-friendly venue could push India towards greater pace or batting depth.

The West Indies vs India 2026 T20I series therefore gives India’s management five separate opportunities to test combinations.

What About the West Indies Squad?

As of September 17, 2026, India have officially announced their ODI and T20I squads.

Cricket West Indies’ official series and fixture pages confirm the tour schedule, but the final West Indies touring squads were not listed there at the time this article was updated.

For that reason, we are not publishing a predicted West Indies squad as though it were official.

This page will be updated once Cricket West Indies announces the confirmed ODI and T20I touring parties.

That distinction matters because injuries, workload management and late selection changes can alter squads close to an international tour.

For reliable India vs West Indies 2026 coverage, confirmed selections should always be separated from probable combinations.

Eight Matches, Eight Different Venues

One of the more unusual aspects of this tour is the spread of venues.

All eight matches are scheduled in different cities:

Thiruvananthapuram → Guwahati → New Chandigarh → Lucknow → Ranchi → Indore → Hyderabad → Bengaluru.

That creates a significant travel component for both teams.

It also means conditions may change throughout the series.

The first ODI in Kerala may present a completely different challenge from the final T20I at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Rather than relying on one generic pitch prediction for the whole West Indies vs India 2026 series, match-specific pitch reports will therefore be more useful.

TeamStats will update individual match pages with venue records, average scores, toss trends and recent results closer to each fixture.

Three ODIs Could Tell Us More About India’s 2027 World Cup Plans

India’s ODI squad deserves special attention because of the timing.

The 2027 World Cup is no longer a distant event from a team-building perspective.

The ICC explicitly linked Gill’s leadership of this squad with India’s attempt to build momentum towards the tournament.

That means selectors will increasingly need answers about roles.

The West Indies vs India 2026 ODIs could provide clues about:

Who opens alongside Gill?

How are Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal used?

Does Virat Kohli continue in his established role?

Who becomes the first-choice wicketkeeper?

Where does Nitish Kumar Reddy fit?

How does Jadeja’s return affect the all-round balance?

Which fast bowlers are moving closer to the core World Cup group?

Three games cannot answer every question, but they can provide useful evidence.

Why the Five T20Is Are Equally Important

The T20I series serves a different purpose.

India’s squad already contains several young players who represent the future of the format.

Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav give the side a youthful profile, while Samson, Ishan, Axar, Kuldeep and Arshdeep add international experience.

For India vs West Indies 2026, five matches provide enough time to test different combinations without treating every single change as a reaction to one result.

That can be especially useful with the top order.

India do not need to force Abhishek, Vaibhav, Ishan and Samson into identical roles.

Instead, the series can help determine which combinations provide the best Powerplay scoring, middle-overs control and finishing depth.

Players to Watch in West Indies vs India 2026

Virat Kohli

Kohli’s ODI return will inevitably be one of the biggest stories of the tour.

His role becomes especially important as India move deeper into their World Cup preparation cycle.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit’s presence gives India enormous experience at the top.

How India balance Rohit with Gill, Jaiswal and Gaikwad will be closely watched.

Shubman Gill

Gill carries the additional responsibility of ODI captaincy.

Results matter, but so will the tactical direction he gives India’s 50-over team.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Few players will attract more curiosity during the T20I leg.

His selection itself makes the teenager one of the major names to follow in the West Indies vs India 2026 series.

Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek’s aggressive batting makes him an important component of India’s T20 strategy.

His ability to attack immediately can shape the entire Powerplay.

Sanju Samson

Samson remains in competition for both a top-order batting position and the wicketkeeping role.

Mayank Yadav

Mayank’s return adds genuine pace to India’s bowling options and makes his fitness and workload worth monitoring.

West Indies Have a Different Challenge

From the visitors’ perspective, this is a demanding tour.

Eight white-ball matches across eight cities means West Indies will constantly need to adapt to new venues.

The ODI series comes first, so the visitors will need to settle quickly before the opener in Thiruvananthapuram.

Then comes an immediate format switch.

For West Indies, West Indies vs India 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to test themselves against a deep Indian player pool in Indian conditions.

The five-match T20I series could be particularly competitive because the shortest format has historically suited the Caribbean style of power hitting and attacking cricket.

However, the exact balance of their touring sides should be assessed only after Cricket West Indies confirms the squads.

West Indies vs India 2026 Match Times in India

For Indian viewers, the timings are simple.

All three ODIs begin at 2:00 PM IST.

All five T20Is begin at 7:00 PM IST.

The BCCI announcement confirms those start times.

That means the ODI matches will run from afternoon into evening, while every T20I is scheduled as a night fixture.

Tosses are normally held shortly before the scheduled start, but match-day confirmation should be checked because operational changes are always possible.

Latest West Indies vs India 2026 Updates

September 16: BCCI officially announced India’s ODI and T20I squads.

September 16: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were confirmed in the ODI squad.

September 16: Shubman Gill was confirmed as ODI captain, with KL Rahul as vice-captain.

September 16: Shreyas Iyer was named T20I captain and Tilak Varma vice-captain.

September 16: Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir received maiden ODI call-ups.

September 16: Mayank Yadav returned to India’s T20I setup.

September 16: Nitish Kumar Reddy was withdrawn from the Asian Games squad to play the West Indies ODIs.

September 17: West Indies’ final ODI and T20I touring squads were still awaiting official confirmation on CWI’s series pages at the time of this update.

This section should be updated whenever there is a confirmed squad change, injury or replacement during India vs West Indies 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does West Indies vs India 2026 start?

The series starts with the first ODI on September 27, 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram.

How many matches will India and West Indies play?

The tour contains eight international matches: three ODIs and five T20Is.

Who is India’s ODI captain against West Indies?

Shubman Gill will captain India in the ODI series, while KL Rahul is vice-captain.

Will Rohit Sharma play against West Indies?

Yes. Rohit Sharma has officially been selected in India’s squad for the three ODIs.

Will Virat Kohli play in West Indies vs India 2026?

Yes. Virat Kohli is part of India’s official ODI squad. He is not part of the T20I squad.

Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi selected against West Indies?

Yes. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been selected in India’s T20I squad for the five-match series.

Who will captain India in the T20I series?

Shreyas Iyer is India’s T20I captain, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain.

When is the first T20I?

The first T20I will be played in Lucknow on October 6 at 7:00 PM IST.

Where is the final India vs West Indies 2026 match?

The tour concludes with the fifth T20I at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17.

Has West Indies announced its squad?

At the time of this September 17 update, the official CWI series page confirms the fixtures but does not list the final touring squads. The squad section of this article should be updated once Cricket West Indies makes an official announcement.

West Indies vs India 2026: What Happens Next?

The immediate focus remains on India’s current commitments, but attention will quickly move towards the West Indies tour.

The first ODI is scheduled for September 27, giving India a relatively short transition into another major white-ball series.

The ODI leg will bring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back into focus alongside captain Shubman Gill. It will also give new selections such as Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir an opportunity to push their cases.

The T20I series then changes the picture completely.

Shreyas Iyer will lead a younger group featuring Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and several bowling options.

That contrast is what makes West Indies vs India 2026 particularly interesting.

It is not simply an eight-match bilateral series. The ODI leg is connected to India’s longer-term World Cup planning, while the T20Is provide another opportunity to refine a rapidly evolving short-format team.

For West Indies, the challenge will be adapting to eight venues and finding combinations capable of competing consistently in Indian conditions.

With three ODIs, five T20Is, the return of two of India’s biggest ODI names and another opportunity for several young players, India vs West Indies 2026 should provide plenty of selection, statistical and match-specific stories from September 27 through October 17.

TeamStats.in will update this page as official West Indies squads, injuries, replacements, playing XIs and match results are confirmed.

For more cricket records and series coverage, follow Cricket Stats & Records, Cricket News Today and TeamStats.in‘s match-specific coverage as the tour approaches.

Official sources: BCCI squad announcement and Cricket West Indies official series page. The official schedule is independently consistent across BCCI, CWI and ICC.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rajani Kant

Cricket Writer & Editor at TeamStats.in

Rajani Kant is a cricket writer and editor at TeamStats.in, covering cricket statistics, team records, player performances, match results and important developments from international cricket. His focus is on presenting cricket information in a clear, useful and easy-to-understand format.

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