New Delhi, Sep 15: Rohit Sharma’s ODI future and Hardik Pandya’s fitness will be among the major talking points when the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel meets to pick India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, beginning September 27.
The meeting assumes added significance as it will be the last selection meeting of Agarkar’s current tenure, which is set to end in early October. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia just over a year away, the selectors face several important decisions regarding the composition of India’s 50-over side.
Rohit’s place in the ODI set-up remains one of the biggest questions. The former captain has made it clear that he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, but uncertainty surrounding his future has persisted following conflicting messages from the selectors and the BCCI.
During the England tour in July, reports suggested that the selectors were planning to move on from Rohit. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia subsequently dismissed the speculation, saying Rohit remained part of India’s ODI plans.
Rohit’s form has also attracted scrutiny. He scored 26 off 47 balls in the second ODI against England in Cardiff and had earlier made 16, 48 and 79 against Afghanistan. However, his most recent ODI appearance produced a century at Lord’s, keeping the veteran firmly in the selection conversation.
His position has come under greater focus since he was replaced by Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain in October 2025, despite having led the side to the Champions Trophy title earlier that year.
Hardik’s availability is another key issue for the selectors. India’s premier seam-bowling allrounder has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2026 after a series of injuries.
Hardik, who was selected for the Afghanistan ODIs in June, suffered a leg injury before the series. Earlier, he had missed four matches for Mumbai Indians because of back spasms and was undergoing conditioning work at the BCCI Centre of Excellence when he suffered his latest setback.
He is expected to undergo a fitness test next week and is likely to be cleared. However, given his importance to India’s balance in ODI cricket, the selectors could be cautious about bringing him straight back into the international side.
The India A matches against Australia A in Puducherry from October 6 could provide Hardik with a more suitable route back to competitive cricket. The selectors are also understood to want him to focus on the 50-over format rather than T20Is for now, with the 2027 World Cup a priority.
India’s options in the allrounder department are limited. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar are part of the Asian Games squad, while Harsh Dubey and Shahbaz Ahmed are injured.
This could bring Ravindra Jadeja back into consideration. Jadeja has featured only sporadically in the ODI set-up over the past year, missed the Afghanistan series and last played an ODI in January 2026.
Krunal Pandya is another outside option after emerging as one of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s key performers during their IPL title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026.
The backup wicketkeeper’s position could also see an interesting contest. KL Rahul is expected to remain the first-choice wicketkeeper, while Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel could compete for the reserve spot.
Pant has not played an ODI for more than two years, while Jurel is yet to make his debut in the format. However, Jurel’s case has been strengthened by his recent form, including an unbeaten 115 in Sri Lanka, his second Test century.
The absence of Shreyas Iyer, who will lead India’s Asian Games campaign in Japan, could also open up a place for one of the wicketkeeper-batters to provide additional middle-order cover.
The spin department presents another selection puzzle. Kuldeep Yadav is in contention after taking 10 wickets in a County Championship match for Yorkshire and could potentially feature in all three ODIs against the West Indies.
His availability, however, could depend on whether he is added to India’s Asian Games squad as a replacement or backup for injured leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
Twenty-year-old legspin-bowling allrounder Vipraj Nigam is another outside possibility. Having been part of the India A set-up, Nigam has impressed with his lower-order batting during his recent stint in Sri Lanka.
The selectors could also consider bringing back Yuzvendra Chahal, potentially reviving the old “Kul-Cha” combination with Kuldeep. Chahal, who last played for India in August 2023, has been in strong form in England.
He has taken 15 wickets in seven One-Day Cup matches for Northamptonshire at an economy rate of 4.56, besides claiming 18 wickets in his last four County Championship matches.
With the 2027 World Cup fast approaching, the selection meeting is likely to offer important clues about India’s long-term ODI plans, particularly the future of senior players such as Rohit and Hardik and the depth available to replace or support them.
