IND vs WI, 3rd ODI 2026 Toss Report and Playing XIs: India Elect To Bat; Anshul Kamboj Debuts, Mohammed Siraj Returns
India opted to bat first in the 3rd ODI against West Indies today, October 3, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Promising all-rounder Anshul Kamboj, 25, makes his One Day International debut for the Men in Blue in this series-deciding encounter, which commenced at 2:00 PM IST.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first against the West Indies in the third and final One-Day International at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Saturday. Having already sealed the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead, the hosts reshuffled their bowling lineup, handing a maiden ODI cap to fast bowler Anshul Kamboj alongside recalls for senior pacer Mohammed Siraj and seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. India Win Gold Medal At Asian Games 2026 in Men's Cricket.
India Bat First to Test Different Match Scenarios
After chasing down totals comfortably in the opening two encounters—including a historic, record-breaking chase of 406 in Guwahati—Gill explained at the toss that India preferred to set a total under daytime conditions. With the pitch appearing firm and dry, batting first presents an opportunity to expose the top order to fresh surface conditions before evening dew potentially impacts bowling in the second innings. The match marks the venue's men's ODI debut, providing an ideal occasion for the team.
Squad Rotation: Anshul Kamboj Handed Debut, Mohammed Siraj Bolsters Attack
India made notable adjustments to their bowling attack, largely necessitated by a left hamstring injury to seamer Prasidh Krishna, which ruled him out of the final fixture. Haryana fast bowler Anshul Kamboj received his international ODI debut after an impressive run across the domestic red-ball and white-ball circuit.
Mohammed Siraj, rested during the first two ODIs, returns to lead the pace unit alongside Kamboj and local seamer Gurnoor Brar. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been recalled into the XI, while experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was rested, handing more responsibility to youngster Naman Dhir and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
The West Indies, captained by Shai Hope, also made changes to their combination as they seek a consolation victory. The visitors brought in wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo and all-rounder Matthew Forde to provide stability and late-innings firepower.
Playing XIs
- India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar
- West Indies: John Campbell, Jewel Andrew, Shai Hope (c), Amir Jangoo (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Jayden Seales
Series Context and Outlook
India enter the final contest aiming for a 3-0 clean sweep following dominant batting displays in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. With the top three in prolific touch—highlighted by captain Gill’s unbeaten double-century and Rohit Sharma’s century in the second ODI—the Indian management will look to test the middle order and assess the newly rotated bowling options with the ball under lights.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2026 01:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).