India are continuing their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with fewer than 20 matches remaining before the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The ongoing series against West Indies is allowing the team management to assess different combinations, particularly with several players unavailable due to Asian Games commitments and injuries.

India’s spin coach Sairaj Bahutule explained the thinking behind the changes on the eve of the second ODI in Guwahati. He said the team wants to understand which players can perform specific roles and assess different bowling options before the World Cup.

Sairaj Bahutule explains India’s bowling experiments

Bahutule said the current series is an opportunity to try different combinations and identify bowlers who can operate effectively in different phases of an ODI. He explained the decision to give Nitish Kumar Reddy the new ball, highlighting the all-rounder’s ability to contribute in both departments. India are also looking at their pace-bowling depth, with the coaching staff yet to settle on the preferred combination.

“These series are a good opportunity for us to also see different types of combinations we can have in the team. He is a good bowler and somebody who can bat as well. During this series we will come across certain changes, but those changes are purely to understand who can be placed well in the right position. When it comes to the fast bowlers, it will be important to see who would actually be the three fast bowlers, maybe a fourth seamer, an all-rounder. That is yet to be seen,” Bahutule said.

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South African conditions remain key to India’s plans

Bahutule said India will gradually focus more closely on finding a combination suited to the conditions expected at the 2027 World Cup. The spin coach also highlighted fielding as an area India continue to work on, particularly with day-night conditions presenting additional challenges.

“Moving ahead is going to be again about the combination which is ideal for the conditions in South Africa. Most of the boxes are ticked. Fielding is something which we constantly are trying to see how we can improve as much as possible. Because it’s not easy under lights, sometimes when the dew comes in, it is a challenge,” he said.

With fewer than 20 ODIs remaining before the World Cup, India will continue using the upcoming series to assess players and roles before finalising their combination for the tournament.

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