Kuldeep Yadav made an impressive return to ODI cricket, claiming 4-40 as India restricted West Indies to 295 despite a strong 135-run opening partnership between West Indies Justin Greaves and John Campbell. Greaves went on to register his maiden ODI century, but West Indies lost four wickets for just 22 runs between the 31st and 36th overs, triggering a dramatic collapse and preventing the visitors from posting a bigger total.
Greaves scored 101 and shared a 135-run opening partnership with left-hander John Campbell, who made 62, to give the tourists a strong start after they were invited to bat first in Thiruvananthapuram. However, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav struck crucial blows, returning figures of 4-40, including a maiden over, to help India fight back during the middle overs.
Kuldeep dismissed Campbell to break the marathon opening partnership before removing West Indies captain Shai Hope for 12. He then dismissed Greaves and Jewel Andrew off successive deliveries. Greaves brought up his century with a single but was dismissed lbw in the following over after facing 108 balls and hitting 12 fours.
Kuldeep had Andrew caught at slip for a duck, but Roston Chase survived the hat-trick ball. Chase then steadied the innings alongside Amir Jangoo, who remained unbeaten on 58, as the pair added 52 runs for the sixth wicket.
Prasidh Krishna ended Chase’s innings for 24, while left-handed Jangoo went on to complete his half-century off 38 balls. The series is being viewed as part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with particular focus on stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom now play only ODI cricket following their retirements from Tests and T20 internationals.