Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin paid a glowing tribute to West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves following his monumental unbeaten double century that rescued a draw in the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval. On Sunday, December 7, 2025, Greaves, batting at No. 7, smashed 202 not out from 388 deliveries, including 19 boundaries, to guide West Indies to 457 for 6 while chasing a daunting victory target of 531 runs. This heroic effort not only thwarted New Zealand's hopes of a series-opening win but also earned Greaves the Player of the Match award, marking him as the fourth West Indian and seventh overall batter to score a fourth-innings double tonne in Test history.

The match, part of a two-Test series, saw the West Indies slump to early trouble after New Zealand's declaration left them needing a world-record chase. Earlier, the visitors were bowled out for 216 in their first innings, trailing by 315 runs, before New Zealand piled on 511 all out in response, powered by centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell. In the second dig, Greaves arrived at the crease with the score at 108 for 4 on Day 4, forging crucial partnerships, including a marathon 229-run stand for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope (81), to steer the team to safety. As stumps were drawn, Greaves remained unbeaten alongside veteran seamer Kemar Roach (17 not out), ensuring a gritty stalemate on a pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers throughout the contest.

Ashwin, a veteran of 106 Tests and renowned for his own tactical acumen in turning matches, took to social media platform X to laud the performance as "once in a lifetime". In his post, he wrote, "Today happens only once in a lifetime, and it's that day for 'Justin Greaves'." Let's not forget Kemar Roach in this effort. Also, Shai Hope was remarkable with the bat in both innings. Exceptional day for @windiescricket." The 31-year-old Greaves, who hails from Barbados and plays domestically for Barbados Pride, has long been a fringe player in the Windies setup but showcased his potential as a resilient middle-order anchor, blending watchful defence with calculated aggression to bat nearly an entire day.

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Greaves himself reflected on the knock with humility in post-match comments, emphasising team resilience—a mantra echoed in the dressing room under interim coach Floyd Reifer. "I'll just say pretty much resilient. It's a word that we've thrown around in the dressing room a lot. So for me to be there at the end was really important. Anything for the team at the end of the day," he said, crediting Roach's seniority for steadying nerves during tense phases. He added, "A really, really special day for us as a group... Once you get in, stay in; it's a good pitch," highlighting the mental fortitude required to occupy the crease for over eight hours against a probing Kiwi attack led by Tim Southee and Will O'Rourke.

This draw breathes fresh life into the series for the West Indies, who have struggled in recent tests away from home, winning just one of their last 10 outings. Greaves' innings evokes memories of iconic fourth-innings rescues, such as Brian Lara's 153 not out against Australia in 1999 or Shivnarine Chanderpaul's stubborn efforts, underscoring the all-rounder's emergence as a stabilising force. As the teams head to Hamilton for the second Test starting December 14, New Zealand will rue missed opportunities, while Ashwin's endorsement from afar amplifies the global appreciation for a knock that blended endurance with historic significance.

The tribute also spotlights the camaraderie across borders in cricket, with Ashwin—currently preparing for India's home series against Bangladesh—using his platform to celebrate excellence beyond rivalries. In an era where Test cricket faces existential questions, performances like Greaves' reaffirm its allure, proving that individual brilliance can still salvage draws from defeats and inspire tributes that resonate far beyond the boundary.

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