India spinner Kuldeep Yadav provided the first breakthrough against West Indies in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27. The left-arm wrist-spinner dismissed John Campbell to end a strong 135-run opening partnership.
The wicket came off the second delivery of the 20th over. Kuldeep tossed the ball up around the stumps, prompting the left-handed Campbell to attempt a sweep. However, he only managed a top edge, with Prasidh Krishna completing a comfortable catch at short fine leg.
Campbell had played an impressive knock before his dismissal, scoring 62 runs from 60 deliveries. His innings included six fours and three sixes, helping West Indies make a commanding start after being asked to bat first. His departure left the visitors at 135/1 after 19.2 overs.
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West Indies openers Justin Greaves and Campbell attacked the Indian bowlers from the beginning. Greaves struck Nitish Kumar Reddy for four boundaries in the second over, while Campbell later targeted Ravindra Jadeja by hitting two consecutive sixes during the ninth over.
#KuldeepYadav makes an instant impact! 🔥
The partnership is broken and India have their first wicket!#INDvWI 1st ODI 👉 LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/zk2ABY21JG pic.twitter.com/w1tveUomaG
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 27, 2026
The visitors raced to 85 without loss during the powerplay, with Campbell scoring 37 off 29 balls and Greaves contributing 42 from 32 deliveries.
Greaves continued his impressive innings and completed his half-century from 42 balls with a boundary in the 14th over. West Indies also crossed the 100-run mark during the same over. Campbell followed him to fifty three overs later, reaching the milestone from 49 deliveries with another boundary off Jadeja.
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The opening pair ultimately added 135 runs from 116 balls before Kuldeep finally broke the partnership. After Campbell’s dismissal, Greaves remained unbeaten on 75 off 66 balls, while Keacy Carty was batting on six from 13 deliveries as West Indies reached 150/1 after 23 overs.
