For the second ODI between India and the West Indies, which is set for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has proposed two alterations to the Indian starting lineup. Dinesh Karthik wants Mohammed Siraj or Auqib Nabi to take Prasidh Krishna’s or Gurnoor Brar’s positions instead.
Dinesh Karthik has proposed two alterations to the Indian starting lineup
After winning the opening ODI at Thiruvananthapuram by eight wickets, India leads the three-match ODI series 1-0 going into this match. In the victory, Shubman Gill scored 110 and Virat Kohli scored 139 not out. India would have an unbeatable lead in the series with a victory in Guwahati. I think they can add Siraj and rest either Gurnoor Brar or Prasidh Krishna, two pacers.
Additionally, you might provide Siraj and Auqib Nabi instead of Gurnoor and Prasidh. In order to know exactly what you want in the near future, I do believe that this is a series where you should check out folks and see where they stand. “Get a player in if you think he fits in,” Karthik told.
Dinesh Karthik’s recommendation is based on how both bowlers performed in the first ODI. In that game, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar bowled a total of 20 overs, giving up 120 runs and collectively taking just two wickets. That yields an economy rate of 6.00 over those overs, which Karthik clearly finds too expensive.
Brar’s current form strengthens the case even more. After making his debut in the home ODI series against Afghanistan, the speedster claimed 11 wickets in his first five games. However, in his past two appearances, he has given up 157 runs without taking a wicket.
This year, Prasidh’s total ODI figures paint a different picture. With 15 wickets in eight games at an average of 26.53 and an economy of 5.65, he is India’s top wicket-taker in the format for 2026. Additionally, he has attained a career-high ICC ODI bowling ranking of 486. Karthik feels that the series against the West Indies is the ideal time to switch up the pace choices and evaluate alternatives in spite of those numbers.
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Since he hasn’t participated in an ODI since January 2026, Mohammed Siraj may have a chance to do so during this series. According to Karthik’s suggestion, Siraj would replace one or both of the underperforming pacers in the starting lineup, allowing the team management to assess his present level of preparedness.
Despite being called up in a variety of forms recently, Auqib Nabi has yet to make his international debut. With the former wicketkeeper defining the series against the West Indies as a platform to evaluate players ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027, Dinesh Karthik’s recommendation would provide the dynamic bowler his first cap.
