3 major concerns for India ahead of West Indies ODIs
With key regulars unavailable and World Cup 2027 planning underway, India face a tricky set of challenges before the series begins.
1. Hardik Pandya's absence and the all-rounder balance question
Hardik Pandya does not feature in the announced ODI squad for the West Indies series. He has been sidelined by a sequence of physical setbacks, including a quadriceps issue and back spasms, which have kept him away from the side for an extended period. His absence creates a clear void in the seam-bowling all-rounder role, an area where India have historically relied on him to provide balance across batting and bowling.
The team management is using this series to assess Nitish Kumar Reddy as a potential alternative in that role. Reddy is confirmed in the 15-man ODI squad and will have the opportunity to stake his claim. Dhruv Jurel has also been included in place of Rishabh Pant, adding another layer of freshness to the middle order. How Reddy and the other fringe players perform across the three matches will be closely watched as India continues to shape their plans for the 2027 World Cup
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