India open ODI series as Rohit and Kohli return

India opened their three-match one-day international series against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the Indian lineup. The available match account reports that captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first, but the supplied reports do not establish the match’s result or score. The opener was played at Greenfield International Stadium, where the teams began a series that continues with matches scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati and October 3 in New Chandigarh. The return of Rohit and Kohli, both prominent figures in India’s batting order, was a key feature of the build-up. Photographs published before the match showed both at a warm-up session at the venue. India’s selection also included Naman Dhir, making his ODI debut, according to the match account. It said Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah were absent because of Asian Games commitments. The team’s mix of established players and newer options gave the opener added significance as India began a home ODI campaign with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.