SportsPosted at: Sep 29 2026 8:36PM


India seek series seal as West Indies face must-win battle in second ODI

Guwahati, Sept 29 (UNI) India will look to turn their commanding opening-ODI victory into a series triumph, while West Indies will fight to keep the contest alive when the sides clash in the second ODI at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.
India's eight-wicket victory in Thiruvananthapuram has put Shubman Gill's side within touching distance of another bilateral series win, but the second game could offer a sterner test as the hosts assess their bowling combination and the visitors look to erase the mistakes that cost them the opener.
Virat Kohli's sensational return to ODI cricket has added another layer to India's advantage. The former captain smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls in the opening game, helping India chase 296 with 50 balls to spare, while becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to cross 15,000 runs in ODI cricket.
Kohli's innings was complemented by Gill's century as India's top order made light work of what initially appeared a competitive target. The challenge for West Indies will be to prevent another dominant batting display from the hosts.
The Caribbean side, however, showed enough in the first innings to suggest that a turnaround is possible. Justin Greaves struck his maiden ODI century and shared a 135-run opening stand with John Campbell, putting West Indies in a strong position before India's spinners and bowlers clawed their way back.
Kuldeep Yadav proved the key difference, claiming four wickets for 40 runs and triggering a collapse that restricted West Indies to 295 for eight after they had looked set for a bigger total.
India's bowling combination could again be a major talking point in Guwahati. Mohammed Siraj, rested for the opening ODI, is in contention to return, while young pacer Auqib Nabi could be handed his ODI debut. Nitish Kumar Reddy's expensive opening spell in Thiruvananthapuram could also prompt a rethink of the attack.
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, India have an opportunity to examine their pace resources, while Kuldeep's impact has strengthened their middle-overs bowling option.
For Shai Hope's West Indies, the second ODI is effectively a must-win game if they are to force a decider. The visitors need their top order to convert promising starts, while their bowlers will have to find a way to break India's powerful batting unit before the game gets away from them.
Hope's side will also be keen to demonstrate greater consistency. West Indies have made progress in narrowing the gap with the stronger ODI teams, but the opening match exposed the difference between producing competitive passages and sustaining pressure throughout a 50-over contest.
For India, the series provides another opportunity to settle combinations and assess personnel ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. For West Indies, the games carry added importance as they build towards their World Cup qualification campaign.
The Guwahati venue will also bring back memories for Kohli, who scored his 45th ODI century at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium against Sri Lanka in 2023.
With India one victory away from sealing the series and West Indies with no room for error, the second ODI promises a sharper contest than the opening game.
The match is scheduled to begin at 1400 hours.
UNI BDN
Tags: #India seek series seal as West Indies face must-win battle in second ODI
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