Naman Dhir leaves field with left ankle injury in 2nd India v West Indies ODI
Naman Dhir was forced to leave the field with a left ankle injury during the second One-Day International between India and the West Indies at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30. The incident occurred in the 36th over of the match, the second fixture of the three-match series.
West Indies entered the Guwahati game leading the series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in the opening ODI at Thiruvananthapuram, with India aiming to level and West Indies seeking a comeback. The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl; India made one change to their XI with Auqib Nabi replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy while West Indies made four changes to their side.
The visitors made a strong start, with John Campbell compiling a quick century before his dismissal. After Campbell fell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo put on a substantial partnership and continued to press the Indian bowlers. At the moment Dhir left the field, West Indies were 277/2 after 35.5 overs with Hope and Jangoo at the crease.
India sustained the setback in the 36th over when Dhir first appeared to suffer cramps and the team physio ran on to inspect him. The update then made clear the issue was not cramps: Dhir twisted his left ankle twice within a few seconds and subsequently walked off the field. He did not return immediately to continue fielding.
Earlier in the innings Dhir had been active in the deep and had taken catches to dismiss Keacy Carty and John Campbell. Just before the ankle problem he had been involved in a deep-field action in which Rohit Sharma made a notable effort to save a boundary.
Auqib Nabi completed the over after Dhir left the field and Nitish Kumar Reddy entered the ground as the designated substitute fielder. There is no official update yet on the seriousness of Dhir’s ankle injury and India will await further information before knowing the extent of his absence.
For now Nitish Kumar Reddy is occupying Dhir’s spot on the field and Auqib Nabi is continuing with the ball as the match moves toward its final overs; India will monitor Dhir’s condition and provide updates when available.
