West Indies must win in Guwahati to keep second ODI alive

India and the West Indies meet in the second ODI in Guwahati on Wednesday, with the West Indies needing a victory to keep the series alive.

The match takes place in a city with a long cricketing history: Nehru Stadium staged Guwahati’s first international fixture in 1983 when Richie Richardson made his ODI debut, and Barsapara hosted its inaugural ODI in 2018 when Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both scored centuries while chasing 323. Guwahati is now an IPL venue. India sit atop the ODI rankings, while the West Indies failed to secure an automatic spot for the 2027 World Cup and must play qualifiers for a third successive time; the visitors were denied an ideal start in Thiruvananthapuram and will look to recover here.

In Thiruvananthapuram John Campbell and Justin Greaves — the West Indies’ fourth different opening combination in its last five ODIs — compiled a 135-run partnership, with Greaves recording his maiden ODI hundred and Campbell and Amir Jangoo each making half-centuries. The report noted that the team’s bowling and fielding need inspiration.

India’s batting unit is led by Shubman Gill, described in the piece as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter and in sublime form, while Virat Kohli “looks liberated” and displays a new aggression to his batting described as “an almost extravagant intent.” Rohit Sharma will be looking for a big score, and Kuldeep Yadav’s return to the playing XI and his rhythm with the ball were cited as timely reminders of his skill.

Prasidh Krishna spoke of clarity within the team, and India’s decision to forgo practice on Tuesday was presented as another expression of that assurance.

The second ODI in Guwahati on Wednesday provides the West Indies with a single opportunity to keep the series alive and to continue their bid to end a 24-year wait for a bilateral ODI series win in India.