West Indies have suffered a major setback ahead of the second ODI against India, with Justin Greaves ruled out of the Guwahati match because of a calf injury.
The all-rounder had only just produced one of the biggest moments of his ODI career. Greaves smashed his maiden ODI century in the opening game of the series in Thiruvananthapuram, scoring 101 from 108 balls against India. But the celebrations were short-lived. He struggled with his movement during the innings and was unable to take the field when West Indies began bowling.
The injury has now forced Greaves to miss the second ODI on September 30. His availability for the third and final ODI is also uncertain, making the situation particularly frustrating for a player who had just delivered his best performance in the format.
Greaves produced a memorable century
Greaves walked into the first ODI with plenty to prove and responded in style.
The West Indies batter scored 101 runs from 108 deliveries, hitting 12 fours during an innings that gave the visitors a strong platform. It was his first century in ODI cricket and came against one of the strongest teams in the format.
According to the West Indies’ player statistics, the century took Greaves to 101 runs in his only ODI innings of the current India series. It was also the highest score of his ODI career.
His innings was especially important because West Indies made a positive start against India. Greaves and John Campbell put together a 135-run opening partnership, giving the Caribbean side momentum during the first half of the innings. Campbell contributed 62, while Amir Jangoo added another half-century later in the innings.
However, Greaves’ physical discomfort became increasingly noticeable.
Reports from the match indicated that he required medical attention several times while batting. Despite the problem, he continued his innings and reached three figures before Kuldeep Yadav dismissed him for 101. Greaves then did not come out to field during India’s chase.
What happened to Justin Greaves?
Greaves suffered the calf injury while batting in the opening ODI.
The West Indies all-rounder was seen struggling with his movement during his innings and needed medical attention. After completing his century, he was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav, but he did not participate in the second innings.
West Indies subsequently confirmed that the injury would keep him out of the second ODI in Guwahati. Cricbuzz reported that Greaves has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series, while other reports have described his participation in the third match as doubtful.
That uncertainty will be something the West Indies medical and team management staff will monitor closely.
For Greaves personally, the timing could hardly be more frustrating. He had finally converted an opportunity at the top of the order into a major ODI score, only to pick up an injury before he could contribute with the ball or in the field.
West Indies face another selection challenge
The absence of Greaves leaves West Indies with an important selection decision for the second ODI.
His value is not limited to his batting. Greaves is an all-rounder and has also contributed with the ball at international level. His ODI record before this series included eight wickets, while his highest bowling figures in the format were 2/32.
More importantly, his century came while opening the innings, a role that gave West Indies an excellent start in Thiruvananthapuram.
Replacing him will therefore not simply mean finding another middle-order batter. The team will have to consider its opening combination, balance and bowling options as well.
West Indies will also know that India are unlikely to offer many opportunities after what happened in the first ODI.
India started the series with a big win
India currently lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after winning the opening game by eight wickets.
West Indies posted 295 for 7 after Greaves and Campbell gave them a strong start. India, however, chased the target in just 41.4 overs.
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were the major contributors with the bat. Gill scored 110 from 108 balls, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 from 88 deliveries. Their 151-run partnership effectively ended West Indies’ hopes of defending the total.
Kohli’s innings also carried additional significance as he crossed the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket, becoming only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to reach that milestone.
India’s bowling effort also deserves plenty of attention.
Kuldeep Yadav finished with figures of 4/40 and played a key role in stopping the West Indies innings from becoming even bigger. He dismissed Greaves, Campbell, Shai Hope and Justin Greaves’ fellow batter Keacy Carty? More specifically, his four wickets included Campbell, Hope, Greaves and another West Indies batter, helping India regain control after the visitors’ excellent start.
Why Greaves’ absence matters
The first ODI showed exactly what Greaves can provide when he gets time at the crease.
His 101-run knock was not just a personal milestone. It gave West Indies a platform from which they were able to score 295. Losing that stability before the second game could force the visitors to rethink their batting order.
There is also a psychological element to the situation, although it is too early to know how the change will affect the team’s performance. Greaves had just demonstrated that he could score heavily against India’s attack. Now, West Indies must move forward without him.
India, meanwhile, will enter the Guwahati contest with confidence after chasing down 296 with plenty of time remaining.
For West Indies, the immediate objective is straightforward: stay alive in the series and force a decider in the third ODI.
When is the second ODI?
The second ODI between India and West Indies is scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati. The third and final ODI will be played on October 3, after which the teams are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series from October 6 to 17.
The big question now is who steps up for West Indies in Greaves’ absence.
The 31-year-old had just produced a career-defining ODI performance, but the calf injury has suddenly changed the picture. His century will remain one of the standout moments of the series so far, but West Indies will need someone else to fill the gap in Guwahati.
India, meanwhile, will be looking to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
One thing is certain: after the fireworks of the first ODI, the second game has another important storyline before a single ball is bowled.
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