India's ODI Series Against West Indies: Morkel Highlights Kohli and Sharma's Impact

As Team India gears up for a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasizes the invaluable experience of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Their return is seen as a significant boost for the team, especially after a recent defeat against England. Morkel believes that their leadership will greatly assist captain Shubman Gill and enhance team dynamics. With impressive records in ODIs, both players are expected to play a crucial role in India's quest for victory at home. The first match is set to take place on Sunday, marking an exciting return for these cricketing stalwarts.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 26, 2026, 04:23 IST

Team India Prepares for ODI Series

Morne Morkel, the bowling coach for Team India, expressed that the squad is 'fortunate' to have the seasoned expertise of renowned cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they gear up for a three-match ODI series against the West Indies at home.

The opening match of this series is set for Sunday, marking the eagerly anticipated return of ODI veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the Indian team.

Importance of Experience

During a pre-match press conference, Morkel emphasized the significance of having senior players like Kohli and Sharma in the lineup. He noted that their insights and extensive game knowledge would be beneficial for captain Shubman Gill and the rest of the team. Morkel stated, 'It's always great to have that experience back in the team, to guide Shubman as well. Shubman has done an exceptional job leading the team so far. I firmly believe in the influence of senior players on the team's dynamics.'

He added that having experienced players like Virat and Rohit leading discussions can enhance the team's performance, as their wealth of experience contributes positively to team conversations.

Records of ODI Legends

In the realm of ODIs, Rohit Sharma stands as India's third-highest run-scorer, amassing 11,895 runs across 288 matches and 280 innings, with an impressive average of 48.95, including 34 centuries and 62 fifties.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli boasts an outstanding record with 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs and 302 innings, averaging 58.59, complemented by 54 centuries and 79 fifties.

India is looking to recover from a 1-2 defeat in their last ODI series against England in July and aims for a strong comeback with a series win against the West Indies.

India's ODI Squad

The Indian ODI squad includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Naman Dhir.