Aakash Chopra, former India batsman, told JioHotstar that the only thing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need is to keep scoring runs as India line up for a three‑match ODI series against the West Indies.
Virat, who has already piled up 384 runs in six innings at a 64.00 average and a 106 strike‑rate, has already hit a century and three fifties this season. Rohit, meanwhile, has chalked up 379 runs in nine outings, averaging 42.11 with a 99 strike‑rate, and his best score – 138 at Lord’s – still shows he’s in fine form.
The squad, led by Shubman Gill and with KL Rahul as vice‑captain, also carries a blend of youth and experience – from Yashasvi Jaiswal to Ruturaj Gaikwad – and the selectors have been sparing no effort to balance the lineup. Dhruv Jurel has been drafted as the second wicket‑keeper, a decision that earned full marks from Chopra, who praised the selectors' eye for depth.
With Rishabh Pant left out of the ODI XI to focus on the Asian Games, the white‑ball squad sees the reserve battle between Jaiswal and Gaikwad as a key decision point; the two have both scored heavily in recent games. The all‑rounder slots are also under scrutiny – Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya could all find a place, depending on injuries and form.
The series will test the team's balance with the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30 and the finale in Chandigarh on October 3, and the pressure mounts as India fine‑tune their attack for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.