India's new faces: How Dhair's batting and Nabi's bowling could impact the West Indies series

New Delhi, 16 September – The Indian cricket board has finalized its squads for the forthcoming ODI and T20 series against West Indies, inserting two promising talents into the senior lineup.

Naman Dhair, a right‑handed batting all‑rounder from Punjab, has proved his mettle in domestic cricket and the IPL. After a notable 62‑run unbeaten effort against Lucknow Super Giants in 2024, he featured in every game of the 2025 IPL season, scoring 252 runs at a blistering strike rate of 182.60. The following year, he continued his consistency with 318 runs from 14 matches, averaging 26.50.

His first‑class record stands at 669 runs in 20 matches (average 23.06) with two centuries, while his List A statistics show 351 runs from 14 innings at 39.00. In T20s he has accumulated 1,222 runs in 61 matches. With the ball, Dhair has claimed 17 first‑class wickets, seven in List A and eight in the shortest format.

Fast bowler Akib Nabi, celebrated for his swing and control, has dominated the Ranji Trophy with 104 wickets over two seasons (2024‑25, 2025‑26). His 60 wickets in 17 matches propelled Jammu & Kashmir to a historic title and earned him the Player of the Tournament accolade. Nabi also took 15 wickets in the 2025 Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leading Delhi Capitals to secure his services for INR 8.40 crore.

He has amassed 164 first‑class wickets, 56 in List A and 43 in T20 cricket. The combination of Dhair’s aggressive middle‑order potential and Nabi’s seam movement provides India with a balanced mix of youth and experience.

The ODI games are slated for 27 September, 30 September and 3 October, while the five‑match T20 series is set for 6, 9, 11, 14 and 17 October. Their inclusion could prove decisive as India looks to assert dominance over a competitive West Indies side.