West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves is reportedly set to miss the third ODI against India, with the injury keeping him out of contention again. The absence comes after he had already missed the previous match, creating a notable selection issue for the visitors ahead of the dead-rubber contest in Mullanpur.
Greaves’ injury and series impact
Greaves picked up a calf injury during his century in the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, he has not been available for selection, and the latest reports indicate that he has not recovered in time for the final ODI.
For West Indies, this is more than a routine injury update. Greaves had quickly become one of the more productive batters in the squad during 2026, and his form had given the side a stronger start at the top of the order.
| Format | Runs | Innings | Average |
|---|
| ODIs in 2026 | 178 | 4 | 44.50 |
| Tests in 2026 | 294 | 6 | 49.00 |
Why his absence matters
In the series opener, Greaves scored 101 off 108 balls and helped set a strong platform for West Indies. That innings underlined his value as an opener who could combine stability with tempo, and it also explained why his injury has been difficult to cover.
His replacement in the second ODI, Keacy Carty, managed only 9 off 10 balls. Across the series so far, Carty has scored 22 runs at a strike rate of 53.65, which highlights the batting decline West Indies have faced without Greaves.
Top-order alternatives for West Indies
With the series already lost, West Indies may use the third ODI to test combinations. One option is to bring 19-year-old Jewel Andrew back into the XI, while another is to reshuffle the order and allow Shai Hope to open if required.
That decision will likely depend on how aggressively West Indies want to approach a match that now carries more value as a planning exercise for the upcoming T20I leg. From a numbers perspective, the priority is clear: replace Greaves’ top-order output and improve the team’s powerplay returns.
Series context before the Mullanpur ODI
India have already clinched the ODI series, turning the final match into a low-pressure fixture from a results standpoint. Even so, the game remains important for West Indies, who will want to assess batting depth and identify options around their current top seven.
| Key series numbers | Value |
|---|
| Greaves runs in ODI series so far | 101 in the opener |
| Replacement score in 2nd ODI | 9 off 10 |
| Carty’s series runs | 22 |
| Carty’s strike rate | 53.65 |
For West Indies, the injury has interrupted one of the few encouraging batting trends in the series. Greaves’ ability to contribute both volume and tempo had provided balance, while his absence has forced the team into a more experimental approach at the top.
What the numbers say
Greaves’ 2026 output suggests he has been one of West Indies’ more dependable batters across formats, averaging above 40 in both Tests and ODIs. Those figures are especially relevant because they show a player producing consistent returns rather than relying on isolated innings.
His continued absence leaves West Indies searching for a replacement who can match that baseline productivity. In a series where the margins have already been decided, the final ODI becomes a useful sample of how the visitors adapt without one of their better recent performers.