Kohli’s unbeaten 139 powers India past West Indies in first ODI

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 and a century from captain Shubman Gill carried India to an eight-wicket win over West Indies in the first one-day international in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. Chasing 296 at the Greenfield International Stadium, India reached 300 for two in 41.4 overs, winning with 50 balls to spare and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Kohli scored his 55th ODI hundred during an 88-ball innings that included 10 fours and nine sixes. He also crossed 15,000 career ODI runs, becoming the second batter to reach the mark after Sachin Tendulkar. Gill made 110 from 108 balls, his 10th century in the format, as the pair put on 151 for India’s second wicket.

A strong start, then a middle-overs setback

West Indies had given themselves a substantial total after being sent in to bat. Openers Justin Greaves and John Campbell added 135 before Kuldeep Yadav broke the partnership in the 20th over. Campbell scored 62, while Greaves went on to make 101 from 108 balls, his first ODI century.

For a time, the opening stand gave West Indies a platform for a score well beyond 300. Kuldeep changed the course of the innings with four wickets for 40 runs from his 10 overs, dismissing both openers and restricting the visitors’ progress through the middle overs. Prasidh Krishna took two wickets for 60 runs.

Amir Jangoo helped West Indies regain momentum late in the innings, finishing unbeaten on 58 from 43 balls. His contribution lifted the visitors to 295 for seven after 50 overs, leaving India with a demanding chase despite Kuldeep’s intervention. The spinner was named player of the match.

Gill and Kohli take charge of the chase

India began quickly, with Gill and Rohit Sharma adding 74 for the first wicket. Rohit made 32 before Alzarri Joseph dismissed him in the 12th over. Kohli joined Gill with India already scoring freely, and the two kept the chase moving without allowing West Indies to build pressure through a string of quiet overs.

Gill, who had been dropped early in his innings, reached his hundred in the 31st over. His 110 included 13 fours and a six. Roston Chase eventually ended the captain’s innings, but by then the Gill-Kohli partnership had brought India within sight of the target.

Kohli’s innings grew more forceful as the chase advanced. He passed 15,000 ODI runs with a boundary in the 29th over, then brought up his century with a six. It was his 10th ODI hundred against West Indies as well as his 55th overall. By the end of the match, his career tally stood at 15,080 ODI runs.

After Gill’s dismissal, Ruturaj Gaikwad remained unbeaten on 13 while Kohli completed the pursuit. Kohli struck the winning runs with a six, leaving West Indies with only two wickets to show for their efforts despite having posted nearly 300.

India take the early series advantage

The result gave India both the opening win and a clear advantage heading into the second ODI, scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati. West Indies can take encouragement from Greaves’ century and the runs scored by their top order, but Kuldeep’s middle-overs spell prevented that start from becoming an even larger total.

For India, the first match combined an effective bowling recovery with a decisive chase. Gill anchored the pursuit after Rohit’s departure, while Kohli turned his latest career milestone into a match-winning innings. West Indies now need a win in Guwahati to keep the three-match series alive.