THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 27, 2026: Justin Greaves produced a composed innings at the top of the order as West Indies built a strong platform against India in the first ODI of their three-match series at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl, but West Indies responded positively with the bat. As the innings approached the 30-over mark, Greaves was closing in on a century and had emerged as the central figure in the visitors' innings.
A score update at 28.5 overs had West Indies at 169/1, with Greaves unbeaten on 87 from 87 deliveries and Keacy Carty on 11 from 27 balls. The live score continued moving thereafter, meaning individual figures should be read according to their update time. Reddit
Greaves anchors West Indies innings
Greaves' innings gave West Indies the foundation they needed after being asked to bat first.
At 28.5 overs, he had reached 87 without being dismissed, scoring at exactly a run a ball. Carty, meanwhile, was playing a more restrained supporting role at the other end. Reddit
The contrast in their scoring rates was useful for West Indies: Greaves could continue pushing the innings forward while Carty concentrated on preserving the partnership.
With more than 20 overs still available at that stage, Greaves' position also gave West Indies an opportunity to build towards a substantial first-innings total.
India searching for a breakthrough
India's decision to bowl first had given the hosts the opportunity to use the conditions before turning to a batting order containing some of the country's most experienced ODI players.
However, the West Indies top order made India work for wickets.
At the 28.5-over mark, Prasidh Krishna had bowled 4.5 overs for 22 runs without taking a wicket, while Nitish Kumar Reddy had conceded 24 from his first two overs. Reddit
The challenge for India was increasingly clear: remove Greaves before he could convert his strong start into a century and accelerate during the final phase of the innings.
Shubman Gill wins toss and chooses to field
Gill elected to bowl after winning the toss in the series opener.
India selected four specialist bowlers and two all-rounders, while Naman Dhir was handed his ODI debut.
India's playing XI consists of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
West Indies selected John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (captain/wicketkeeper), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales. The Indian Express
Naman Dhir makes India debut
One of the significant selection developments for India was the inclusion of Naman Dhir.
The all-rounder received his debut as India used the West Indies series to examine different combinations ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India are without several regular players during the series, creating opportunities for less-established members of the squad. The Indian Express
The series therefore carries significance beyond the immediate result, with India's management having a limited number of ODI assignments remaining before the next World Cup.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to international action
The first ODI also marks the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket.
Their presence gives India considerable experience at the top of the batting order as the team enters another stage of its preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
Hindustan Times noted that India could play roughly 14 to 20 ODIs before the World Cup, making the upcoming series part of the process of establishing the team's preferred combination for the tournament. Hindustan Times
Kohli has also confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final World Cup for India.
“For me, it's the last World Cup I'm going to play for India,” Kohli told JioStar ahead of the series. He added that winning the tournament remains his goal.
First of three ODIs
Sunday's contest opens a three-match ODI series.
The first match is being played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, with the second ODI scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati and the third for October 3 in New Chandigarh. Outlook India
Both teams are approaching the series with the 2027 ODI World Cup increasingly relevant to their planning.
For India, that means balancing established players such as Rohit, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja with experiments involving newer options.
For West Indies, Greaves' performance in the opening ODI has provided an encouraging start to the tour.
Match situation
The defining story of the first half of the West Indies innings has been Greaves.
India managed only one wicket through much of the opening 30 overs, while the West Indies opener maintained a healthy scoring rate and moved within reach of three figures.
The key question for the remainder of the innings is whether India can break the partnership and restrict West Indies during the final 20 overs, or whether Greaves can convert his start into a century and provide the platform for a late acceleration.
Editor's note: This is a live match. Scores, individual figures and the match situation will continue to change after publication.
