Mohammed Siraj leads India’s seam group on seniority, but Prasidh Krishna is the bowler best built to hurt West Indies. With Bumrah on Asian Games duty in Japan, the new ball passes to a four-man unit that also includes Gurnoor Brar and uncapped Auqib Nabi. Siraj brings experience and sharp powerplay form from IPL 2026. Prasidh brings steep bounce and a recent record against these exact batters. The series opens on September 27, and the pecking order is less settled than the squad sheet suggests.
Asian Games Clash Leaves Bumrah Unavailable
India’s Asian Games cricket campaign in Japan runs from September 24 to October 3, 2026, overlapping the three-match West Indies series that begins September 27. Bumrah was picked for Japan. The call is purely about the calendar, not fitness or form.
His recent history makes the decision easier to accept. He injured his knee against England in July and was eased back through the Afghanistan T20I series. Rather than stack two assignments on a freshly repaired body, India chose one.
That shifts the weight onto Shubman Gill’s 15-member squad. Siraj slots in as the direct replacement at the top, with Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Jammu & Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi completing the seam options.
IND vs WI ODI series Pace Attack
Side by side, the experience gap jumps out. Two bowlers have real mileage, one is months into his career, and the fourth has yet to play an ODI.
Bowler | ODIs | Wickets | Economy |
Mohammed Siraj | 50 | 76 | 5.13 (approx.) |
Prasidh Krishna | 28 | 50 | 5.9 to 6.0 (approx.) |
Gurnoor Brar | 6 | 11 | 6.96 |
Auqib Nabi | 0 | 56 (List A) | – |
Powerplay splits aren’t published for any of them, so these are full career figures. Siraj offers control, Prasidh offers wickets at a slightly higher cost, and the two newcomers remain unknowns. Whoever wins the new-ball battle against the West Indies top order will set the tone for all three matches.
Siraj Carries Seniority Into the Powerplay
Siraj brings the heaviest numbers: 76 wickets in 50 ODIs at an average of 25.32. His best, 6 for 21 against Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asia Cup final, remains one of India’s great new-ball spells. The catch is time away. His last ODI came against New Zealand in January 2026, so this is a comeback to the 50-over side as much as a leadership test.
IPL 2026 suggests the edge hasn’t dulled. He took 13 powerplay wickets for Gujarat Titans at an economy of 7.53, the third-most in that phase all season. If that carries into ODIs, he bowls the first over.
Prasidh Krishna Brings Hit-the-Deck Bounce
Prasidh has the best recent form in the group. He has 50 ODI wickets at an economy near 6.0, including a maiden five-for, 5 for 23 against Afghanistan in June 2026, and 4 for 66 against South Africa in December 2025.
The more telling number is 4 for 12. He produced it against this same West Indies side in Ahmedabad, ripping through their top order. It came during a run in which the visitors have lost 13 of their last 19 ODIs against India over five years. His height creates steep bounce from a hard length, and Caribbean batters have struggled with it before. Siraj may lead on paper, but Prasidh looks the better match for this particular opponent.
Brar and Nabi Offer Reserve Firepower
Gurnoor Brar is a 6-foot-5 right-arm quick who debuted in ODIs against Afghanistan in June 2026. Steep bounce and yorkers are his weapons, and his List A record reads 19 wickets from 12 matches.
Auqib Nabi, known as the Baramulla Express, is uncapped in this format but not new to the setup. He earned a Test call-up as Bumrah’s replacement for the Sri Lanka series earlier in 2026, becoming the first Jammu & Kashmir player capped by India.
His List A haul of 56 wickets in 36 matches trails a first-class record of 164 wickets at 18.71. That includes 60 wickets at 12.56 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, which delivered J&K their maiden title.
Neither is likely to start the opener, but both give India cover if the workload bites. The IND vs WI ODI series pace attack belongs to Siraj on seniority and Prasidh on form, and the smartest plan hands both of them the new ball.
Should Prasidh take the new ball ahead of Siraj in the opener? Tell us your first-over pick in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing against West Indies?
Bumrah is on Asian Games duty in Japan, a scheduling clash, not an injury or form issue. The Asian Games cricket event runs September 24 to October 3, overlapping the series that starts September 27.
Who are India’s fast bowlers for the West Indies ODIs?
Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and uncapped Auqib Nabi make up India’s seam options. Siraj is the senior figure with 76 wickets in 50 ODIs at an average of 25.32.
Who is Auqib Nabi?
Auqib Nabi is a right-arm medium-fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir, nicknamed the Baramulla Express. He took 60 wickets at 12.56 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, driving J&K to their maiden title.
Is Mohammed Siraj playing the West Indies ODI series?
Yes, Siraj is in the squad as Bumrah’s direct replacement and the most experienced seamer available. His last ODI came against New Zealand in January 2026, making this his return to the 50-over side.
Who will open the bowling for India against West Indies?
Mohammed Siraj is the likeliest new-ball bowler, with Prasidh Krishna the probable first-change strike option. Siraj claimed 13 powerplay wickets for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, the third-most in that phase.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.