India have been trying various combinations in ODIs with some of their first-choice players either injured or rested, even as the World Cup is just over 14 months away. Here’s India's ODI XI when everyone is fit and available.
India have 14 ODIs to play against four different oppositions by the end of February next year, and that is followed by two months of the Indian Premier League. They may play a few more matches in the lead-up to the World Cup, which is when they will need their full-strength squad in the format.
ODI XI India should pick when everyone is available
Who are the certainties?
Let us start with the players who will definitely make the cut. Skipper Shubman Gill, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya walk into the playing XI irrespective of any other player’s availability. There is no question about their place in the side whatsoever.
What about Rohit Sharma?
Rohit silenced the critics with a timely century at Lord’s in the final ODI against England, but his future continues to remain uncertain with questions around his form and fitness being raised with every ODI series. It also remains to be seen if the selectors are really looking at him opening the innings in the World Cup next year.
Jadeja or Axar, who makes the cut?
If fit, Pandya is one of the first names on the sheet as he lends a perfect balance to the team. There can be a toss-up between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, and only one of them makes it to the XI as both offer the same set of skills. The latter last played an ODI more than six months ago, while Axar was recently a part of the series against England.
Moreover, Jadeja’s form in the ODIs is under the scanner too: he has picked only one wicket across his last six innings. His last fifty in the format came way back in December 2020. While his batting position could be debated, Jadeja’s strike rate in the death overs hasn’t been inspiring either.
Will Kuldeep Yadav play?
Kuldeep should be a guaranteed starter, so it was baffling to see him benched for the entire series against England earlier this month. He is a genuine wicket-taking threat who should be in the XI regardless of the conditions. The question is, does the team management agree?
Which fast bowler makes the cut?
India seem to be preparing a pool of fast bowlers for the World Cup, which will be played on the bouncy tracks of South Africa and Zimbabwe. They have unearthed a couple of decent options in Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav recently, and the management is backing them to the hilt too. Both have genuine pace and can hit the deck too, which makes them threatening.
Bumrah is a lock-in among the fast bowlers, while Harshit Rana also seems to have sealed his place with his performance as a first-change bowler and number eight batter. He has gone wicketless only once in 14 ODI innings and has picked up three or more wickets five times so far. With the bat, the 24-year-old is also averaging nearly 25 after seven innings, with a fifty to his name.
Mohammed Siraj, Brar, and Prince could be competing for the second fast bowler spot, with Prasidh Krishna also in the mix. While Siraj, like Jadeja, last played an ODI in January 2026, he has taken 76 wickets in 50 matches and deserves a swift return to the XI.
ODI XI India should pick when everyone is available
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
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