India produced a memorable batting display in the first ODI against West Indies on Sunday, September 27, as Virat Kohli and captain Shubman Gill scored centuries to guide the hosts to a comfortable eight-wicket victory at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. India now lead the three-match series 1-0.
Chasing 296, India reached 300 for 2 in 41.4 overs, with Virat Kohli remaining unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls, including 10 fours and 9 sixes. Shubman Gill scored 110 off 108 balls, hitting 13 fours and one six. The pair added 151 runs for the second wicket and took the game firmly away from West Indies.
The victory also brought several major milestones for Virat Kohli. The 37-year-old registered his 55th ODI century and became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs. Shubman Gill, meanwhile, recorded his 10th ODI hundred.
India had earlier made a strong start to the chase, with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma putting together 74 runs for the opening wicket. Rohit contributed 32 before being dismissed by Alzarri Joseph. Shubman Gill received an early reprieve when he was dropped but he made full use of the opportunity. He reached his half-century from 49 balls and accelerated further before completing his century. His partnership with Kohli became the turning point of the chase.
Virat Kohli looked equally assured and attacked the West Indies bowlers with a combination of running between the wickets and powerful boundary-hitting. He reached his century from 74 balls and finished the chase in style, remaining unbeaten on 139. However, India’s victory was set up by an excellent bowling performance from Kuldeep Yadav, who was named the Player of the Match after taking 4 wickets for 40 runs.
West Indies made an excellent start after being asked to bat first. Justin Greaves and John Campbell added 135 runs for the opening wicket in 19.2 overs, putting the visitors in a strong position. John Campbell scored 62 off 60 balls, while Justin Greaves went on to make his maiden ODI century, scoring 101. For a while, West Indies appeared capable of posting a much bigger total.
Kuldeep Yadav changed the momentum of the innings. He dismissed John Campbell, followed by captain Shai Hope, and then removed Justin Greaves and Jewel Andrew in successive deliveries. The West Indies suddenly slipped from 176 for 1 to 198 for 5.
Justin Greaves was dismissed for 101 after Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery beat his attempted sweep and an LBW decision was confirmed following a review. Jewel Andrew then fell to another deceptive delivery from the left-arm wrist-spinner.
West Indies needed a late recovery and Amir Jangoo provided it. He remained unbeaten on 58 off 43 balls, putting together partnerships of 48 runs with Roston Chase and 38 runs with Matthew Forde. Amir Jangoo reached his half-century from just 38 balls, helping West Indies finish on 295 for 7 in 50 overs. Prasidh Krishna also contributed with 2 wickets for 60 runs, while Nitish Kumar Reddy took one wicket.
But the total proved insufficient against India’s powerful batting line-up. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill controlled the chase from the moment they came together, ensuring India finished the opening ODI with an eight-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Well played India!
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