India, Sept. 29 -- India's second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on Wednesday will be about more than taking a 2-0 lead in the series. With the next ODI World Cup set to test the selectors, every game is becoming another opportunity for India to try out combinations, expose youngsters to pressure and work out which players can thrive in different phases of a match.

That was the message from India bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule ahead of the second ODI, with the team management treating the home series as an important part of a longer-term preparation process.

The challenge for India is that its preparation is happening alongside several other tournaments, including the Asian Games. Yet Bahutule believes the depth available to Indian ...