India test combinations for 2027 World Cup in West Indies ODIs
India use West Indies ODIs to test combinations and player roles for 2027 World Cup.
India bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said the ongoing ODI series against West Indies forms part of longer-term preparation for the 2027 World Cup. The team management is using matches to test player combinations, expose youngsters to pressure and assess which players can perform in different phases of the game. Bahutule noted that Asian Games commitments run alongside the home series, yet the depth in Indian cricket allows selectors to distribute players without compromising quality.
The first ODI provided one such opportunity, with Nitish Kumar Reddy used with the new ball. Bahutule said different bowlers can operate in different phases and that the series would bring certain changes. He confirmed that Gurnoor Brar could also be asked to bowl with the new ball. Kuldeep Yadav remains a key asset, with Bahutule calling the wrist-spinner a match-winner who has benefited from a county stint.
The selectors are not yet looking for their best eleven. They are trying to understand how different players fit into different roles ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.
CricHubb Take
The real test of this approach will come when India must pick a settled XI rather than rotate. The risk is that the evidence gathered across multiple tournaments produces too many viable options without clear hierarchies.