Overview

• Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bat, retaining the same XI from the innings win in Ahmedabad, while West Indies brought in Anderson Phillip and Tevin Imlach.
• Gill said India would field their strongest side and keep standards high regardless of opponent, and he signaled patience with No. 3 Sai Sudharsan despite lean scores.
• Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reiterated plans to persist with seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as part of a medium-term balance for the side.
• The Kotla pitch is expected to favor batting early with even bounce on black soil before offering more assistance to spinners as the match progresses.
• In the Women’s World Cup, South Africa beat India by three wickets as Nadine de Klerk hit an unbeaten 84, prompting captain Harmanpreet Kaur to question top-order responsibility despite Richa Ghosh’s 94 from No. 8.