India have already sealed the three-match ODI series, but the final game could be significant for the players waiting on the fringes. With the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup underway, the spotlight will be on whether India use the opportunity to give their bench strength a run and assess who can make a genuine case for a World Cup place.
Players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Anshul Kamboj are part of the squad, while the likes of Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar have already featured in the series. The third ODI could therefore offer India valuable information beyond the result.
The third ODI of the three-match series will be played on Saturday, October 3, with the toss scheduled for 1:30 PM IST. Live streaming of the India vs West Indies ODI series will be available on the JioHotstar app and website, while the matches will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India.
For West Indies, the challenge is different. Daren Sammy wants greater discipline from his bowlers after they conceded 406 in Guwahati, while the batting unit will also reflect on letting a strong position slip in the final 10 overs.
With New Chandigarh hosting its first men’s ODI, there is also an element of the unknown. The venue, the combinations and India’s selection calls could make the series finale more interesting than the scoreline suggests.
DHIR EAGER FOR HIS CHANCE
Naman Dhir has had to be patient in his first ODI series for India. The 26-year-old made his international debut in the opening game against West Indies, but is still waiting for his first opportunity with the bat.
“The thought of batting is always on your mind, no matter what game it is,” Dhir said. He acknowledged that he would have liked a chance in Guwahati, where more than 800 runs were scored, but was pleased with the team’s convincing win.
Dhir’s call-up came after a spectacular Sher-e-Punjab League campaign, where he scored 655 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 217. With India already having sealed the series, the third ODI could give him the opportunity to show what he can do with the bat.
His bowling has also given him another avenue into the XI. Dhir has gone wicketless but maintained an economy rate of six, with advice from Ravindra Jadeja helping him understand how to adapt to different match situations.
“I spoke quite a bit with Jaddu bhai, and he gave me simple plans to bowl according to the batsman and what the match situation demands,” he said.
For Dhir, the third ODI could finally be the chance to show why his batting earned him the India call-up.
SAMMY WANTS MORE
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy wants his bowlers to be more disciplined after India chased down 406 in Guwahati. With little assistance from the pitch, he felt the bowling unit needed to be smarter with its lines, lengths and plans.
“We still need to find ways when wickets are not really offering any assistance to the bowlers to be disciplined in our lines and lengths and the plans that we put in,” Sammy said.
He also felt West Indies left runs on the table after reaching around 230 at the 30-over mark. Sammy believed they could have pushed towards 450, but managed only 70-odd runs in the final 10 overs.
Against India, the bigger issue was what happened with the ball. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 255 for the opening wicket, leaving West Indies with little room to build pressure.
“You’ve got to get wickets in the powerplay, get wickets in the middle, and build that pressure with a total that is over 400,” Sammy said.
The third ODI gives West Indies an opportunity to address both issues, particularly their ability to create pressure when conditions do not offer much help.
IND vs WI: PITCH & CONDITIONS
There is no ODI history to fall back on at New Chandigarh. This will be the venue’s first men’s ODI, meaning both India and West Indies will have to work out how the surface behaves over 50 overs rather than rely on established one-day trends.
The expectation is that batters should be able to play their shots, while the surface could still offer enough for bowlers who hit the right lengths.
IND vs WI: WEATHER REPORT
Sunny skies are expected at New Chandigarh for the start of play, with temperatures likely to touch 35 degrees Celsius or higher. The heat could make conditions challenging for bowlers, particularly if they are asked to bowl first at the PCA International Stadium.
IND vs WI: TEAM NEWS
India have brought Anshul Kamboj into the squad in place of the injured Prasidh Krishna, but his inclusion in the XI is not certain. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, India could prefer continuity while continuing to assess players who are part of their longer-term plans.
For West Indies, John Campbell has done enough to retain his place at the top of the order, and the left-hander will be looking to build on his recent contributions. The focus will instead be on Keacy Carty, who has yet to make the kind of impact West Indies would want from their opening combination. The hosts could therefore continue with the pair and back them to deliver in the decider.
The bigger selection questions come in the bowling attack. Gudakesh Motie could return for Vitel Lawes, while Matthew Forde is also in contention to replace Keemo Paul. Those changes would give West Indies a different balance, with Motie’s control in the middle overs and Forde’s pace offering two distinct options.
For India, the question is whether they stick with the combination that has taken them this far or use the third ODI to give another player an opportunity with the 2027 World Cup cycle already underway.
INDIA’S PREDICTED XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar
WEST INDIES’S PREDICTED XI: John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (C/WK), Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie
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