Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit Had Not Debuted! How Cricket Was When West Indies Last Won ODI Series In India?

IND vs WI ODI series (Source: AP)India is hosting the West Indies for an all-important 3-match ODI series, starting from September 27, 2026. In the first IND vs WI ODI, India wrapped up a clinical 296-run chase in emphatic fashion, needing just 10 balls after the 40th over to knock off the remaining 25 runs and seal an 8-wicket victory with 50 balls to spare.While the result underlines India’s current dominance, it also serves as a reminder of just how long it has been since West Indies last tasted ODI series success on Indian soil.The West Indies were once one of the most dominant forces in world cricket. However, when it comes to ODI cricket in India, their last bilateral series victory came way back in November 2002, when Carl Hooper’s side defeated Sourav Ganguly’s India 4-3 in a seven-match series.More than two decades have passed since then.But how different was the cricketing world when West Indies last won an ODI series in India?Let’s take a nostalgic trip back and look at 9 things that have happened since West Indies last won an ODI series in India.1. Shubman Gill Was Just Seven Years OldToday, Shubman Gill is one of the leading names in Indian cricket and has taken on the responsibility of leading India’s ODI side.Back in November 2002, however, Gill was just seven years old.Born in Fazilka, Punjab, the young Gill was still years away from becoming involved in competitive cricket when West Indies secured their historic ODI series victory in India.The player who would eventually become one of India’s premier opening batters was, at the time, simply a schoolboy growing up in Punjab.2. MS Dhoni Had Not Even Made His India DebutIt is difficult to imagine Indian cricket without MS Dhoni.The former captain went on to lead India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, becoming one of the most successful captains in the history of the game.But none of that had happened in 2002. In fact, Dhoni had not even made his international debut.He was still playing domestic cricket and working as a ticket collector with Indian Railways in Kharagpur. His international career began only in 2004, more than two years after West Indies’ historic series win.3. Virat Kohli Was Still An Under-19 CricketerDuring the 1st ODI played between India and West Indies on September 27, 2026, Virat Kohli scored his 55th ODI century, the most in the format. Indeed, today, his name has become synonymous with modern-day ODI batting.Yet, when West Indies last won an ODI series in India, Kohli was only 14 years old.The Delhi youngster was still developing as a cricketer, with his senior international career several years away.Also read: Virat Kohli Builds His 'Ultimate ODI Batter'; No Place For MS Dhoni, Rohit SharmaHis breakthrough on the global stage would come in 2008, when he captained India to the Under-19 World Cup title in Malaysia.At the time of West Indies’ 2002 series triumph, however, Kohli was still a young cricketer dreaming of making it big.4. Rohit Sharma Was Yet To Make His India DebutRohit Sharma is another name that would later become central to India’s white-ball success, winning the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2024 T20 World Cup.But in 2002, Rohit was still a teenager. The Mumbai youngster was developing his batting while also bowling off-spin at the Swami Vivekanand International School.He made his India debut in 2007, almost five years after the West Indies’ last ODI series victory in India.The player eventually went on to become one of India’s most prolific ODI openers, but he was still at the beginning of his journey.5. DRS Had Not Entered International CricketToday, a close LBW decision almost immediately brings one phrase into the conversation - “DRS.”Back in 2002, there was no such option.The Decision Review System (DRS) was first tested in international cricket during a Test match between India and Sri Lanka in July 2008.Thus, when West Indies last won an ODI series in India, the DRS had not yet entered international cricket. This meant players had to accept the on-field umpire’s decision.There was no ball tracking, no UltraEdge and no Hawkeye-based review process available to teams.6. Super Overs Did Not Exist In International CricketImagine a tied match without the possibility of a Super Over. That was international cricket’s reality in 2002.The modern one-over eliminator had not yet become part of the game. The dramatic Super Over, that now decides some of cricket’s biggest matches, was still years away from being introduced to international cricket.7. Pink-Ball Tests Were Still A Long Way AwayDay-night Test cricket under floodlights is now an established part of the international calendar.But in 2002, the concept was still far from reality. Test cricket was played with the traditional red ball, generally during daylight hours.Also read: ICC Announces Major Rule Changes, Pink Ball Usage Approved In Red Ball TestsThe first official day-night Test, played with a pink ball, eventually took place in 2015, when Australia faced New Zealand in Adelaide.So when West Indies last celebrated their ODI series victory in India in 2002, pink-ball Test cricket had not yet entered the international game.8. India Had Won Just One ODI World CupIndia’s World Cup history looked very different in 2002.The country had won the ODI World Cup only once - Kapil Dev’s iconic 1983 side had lifted the trophy at Lord’s after defeating a dominant West Indies in the final.India’s second World Cup triumph was still nine years away.The 2011 home World Cup victory under MS Dhoni had not yet happened, while India’s later T20 World Cup success was also far in the future.In other words, the Indian team that West Indies defeated in 2002 belonged to a very different chapter of the country’s World Cup history.9. No IPL; No T20 World CupPerhaps the biggest difference of all was what did not exist. There was no IPL.The Indian Premier League only arrived in 2008, changing the world of T20 cricket.There was also no ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.The first edition of the global T20 tournament was played in 2007, with India eventually winning the inaugural title.So when West Indies defeated India 4-3 in 2002, T20 cricket had not yet become the global sensation it is today.Also read: R Ashwin Alongside 2 India Legends To Be Honoured With A Stand At Chepauk Stadium