IND vs WI 3rd ODI Preview: Will India roll the dice to explore World Cup options

India have already sealed the three-match ODI series, but for the players waiting on the sidelines, the final match could be significant. As they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the focus will be on whether India take the opportunity to exercise their strength on the bench and gauge who can be the real reason for a World Cup berth.

Players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Anshul Kamboj are part of the team while Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar have already appeared in the series. Thus, the third ODI could offer India valuable insights beyond the result.

The third ODI of the three-match series is played on Saturday, October 3, with the toss scheduled for 1:30 PM IST. ODI Series Live Streaming India Vs. The West Indies will be available on the JioHotstar app and website, while the matches will be telecast live on Star Sports Network in India.

For the West Indies, the challenge is different. Daren Sammy wants more discipline from his bowlers after they conceded 406 in Guwahati, while the batting unit will also bounce back from letting a strong position slip in the last 10 overs.

With New Chandigarh hosting its first men’s ODI, there is also an element of the unknown. The venue, the combination and India’s selection could make the series finale more interesting than the score suggests.

DHIR HAS HIS CHANCE

Naman Dhir had to be patient in his first ODI series for India. The 26-year-old made his international debut in the opening match against West Indies but is still waiting for his first opportunity with the bat.

“The thought of batting is always in your mind, no matter what game it is,” Dhir said. He admitted he would have liked a chance in Guwahati, where more than 800 runs were scored, but was delighted 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 having already sealed the series, the third ODI could give him an opportunity to show what he can do with the bat.

His bowling also gave him another way into the XI. Dhir is wicketless but has maintained an economy rate of 6, with advice from Ravindra Jadeja helping him understand how to adapt to different match situations.

“I spoke to Jaddu bhai quite a bit and he gave me simple plans to play according to the batsman and what the match situation required,” he said.

For Dhir, the third ODI could finally be a chance to show why his batting earned him an invitation to India.

SAMMY WANTS MORE

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy wants his bowlers to be more disciplined after India chased down 406 in Guwahati. With a little help from the field, he felt the bowling unit needed to be smarter with their lines, lengths and plans.

“We need to find ways, when the wickets don’t really offer the bowlers any help, to be disciplined in our lines and lengths and the schemes we put in,” Sammy said.

He also felt West Indies left runs on the table after reaching around 230 in the 30 overs. Sammy believed they could get to 450 but managed only 70 odd runs in the last 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 have to get wickets in the powerplay, get wickets in the middle and create pressure with a total over 400,” Sammy said.

The third ODI gives West Indies an opportunity to address both issues, particularly their ability to generate pressure when the conditions don’t offer much help.

IND vs WI: PITCH & CONDITIONS

There is no ODI history to fall back on in New Chandigarh. This will be the men’s first ODI, meaning both India and West Indies will have to work out how the surface behaves over 50 overs rather than relying on established one-day trends.

It is expected that the batsmen should be able to play their shots while the surface could offer enough for the bowlers to hit the right length.

IND vs WI: WEATHER REPORT

Sunny skies are expected in New Chandigarh for the start of the game with temperatures likely to be 35 degrees Celsius or higher. The heat could make conditions difficult for the bowlers, especially 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 ODI World Cup in 2027 in mind, India could prioritize continuity while continuing to evaluate 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. Instead, we’ll focus on Keacy Carty, who is yet to make the impact the West Indies would like from their opening combination. The home side were then able to continue with the pair and back them to deliver the decision.

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 Keem Paul. These changes would give West Indies a different balance, with Motie’s control in the middle overs and Forde’s pace offering two distinct options.

The question for India 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.

PREDICTED INDIA 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.

PREDICTED WEST INDIES 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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