Naman Dhir makes his debut in IND vs WI 1st ODI [Source: BCCI/X]In a significant development, India won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first ODI of the three-match series against West Indies. At toss, Indian captain Shubman Gill revealed that his side would like to chase in order to capitalise on the playing conditions at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Young all-rounder Naman Dhir, who has an impressive List-A record, received his ODI debut cap before the toss, becoming the 264th player to represent India in the 50-over format. Which player has Naman Dhir replaced in India playing XI vs West Indies for 1st ODI?Had India's first-choice players been available, Washington Sundar would've made it into the playing XI. Sundar is currently with the Indian T20I squad, led by Shreyas Iyer, for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Therefore, Naman Dhir has logically replaced Sundar in the Indian playing XI for the 1st ODI against West Indies. His selection signifies that the Indian team management is considering keeping three all-rounders in their ODI playing XI leading up to the 2027 World Cup. Also Read: India vs West Indies Head To Head Records- 1st ODI, West Indies Tour Of India 2026Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana used to fill the slots, which have now been taken by Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja, respectively. India also have Auqib Nabi, whom they can utilise as a bowling all-rounder in the series going forward. India went with five batters, three all-rounders, one spinner and two pacers, and Mohammed Siraj was a high-profile name to miss out from the team sheet for the 1st ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. India vs West Indies 1st ODI toss: What did the captains say?Shubman Gill said, "We are going to bowl first. Looks like a decent surface, very hard. So, I think it will come little better under lights so we would like to chase. On large pool of players to pick from] Yeah, not at all. I think we have got a pretty decent combination here. Going with four bowlers and two all-rounders,""[Filling gaps before the World Cup] Yeah, I think 20 odd matches before the World Cup. This is the time to see what combination suits us the best and then give that combination as much time in the middle as possible. [On preparations] Preparations have been good. The weather has been a bit up and down. Raining here and there, still I think preparation is good. [On team combination] We are going with four bowlers, with Gurnoor, Prasidh, Jaddu and Kuldeep and then two all-rounders with Reddy and Naman Dhir makes his debut," he concluded. Shai Hope said, "Well, it doesn't matter now, or does it? Ah, we would have probably batted first today. [On their preparation] It's been a quick turnaround for us. We play a lot of cricket, different format from CPL, but it's been going pretty well. I think the guys have been playing some good cricket in the last couple of years; it's about time for us to come to India now and try to replicate that."[On this tour, exposure their players get in India] Yeah, for sure, and something I always mention, we want to play against the best teams in the world, and no better place to do it than here in India. So I think the guys are really looking forward to this challenge. You need to embrace it if you want to beat the best team in the world. We are looking forward to the start of this series," he added. India vs West Indies 1st ODI playing XIsIndia's playing XI for 1st ODI vs West Indies: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Reddy, Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh KrishnaWest Indies Playing XI for 1st ODI vs India: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c & wk), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden SealesAlso Read: Why Mitchell Starc, Ryan Rickelton Are Not Playing Today's AUS vs SA ODI?
