Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 28:
Virat Kohli and captain Shubman Gill produced outstanding centuries as India defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram.
The emphatic victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and put the hosts in a strong position ahead of the remaining matches.
Chasing a target of 296, India completed the chase in just 41.4 overs, reaching 300 for two. Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 from only 88 balls, producing a commanding innings that included his 55th century in ODI cricket and 86th international hundred.
Gill also played a major role in India’s successful chase. The captain scored 110 from 108 deliveries and combined with Kohli for a 151-run second-wicket partnership. Their stand effectively took the game away from the West Indies after India had made a controlled start to the chase.
The partnership gave India the platform to accelerate during the second half of the innings. Kohli’s aggressive strokeplay complemented Gill’s composed century, and the pair ensured that India did not face any serious pressure while chasing the sizeable target.
Earlier, West Indies posted 295 for seven after being sent in to bat. Justin Greaves was the principal contributor, scoring a century to anchor the visitors’ innings, while John Campbell provided valuable support with 62.
Greaves’ 101 gave West Indies a competitive total and kept the visitors in the contest. Campbell’s 62 added to the foundation, but India’s bowlers managed to control the scoring during the latter stages of the innings and prevented West Indies from pushing the total beyond the 300-run mark.
Kuldeep Yadav was India’s leading bowler, claiming four wickets for 40 runs. His spell proved important in restricting the West Indies after Greaves had established the innings and threatened to take the visitors towards a much bigger total.
India’s chase, however, turned the match into a one-sided contest. Once Gill and Kohli established their partnership, the West Indies bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. Kohli’s unbeaten 139 eventually ensured that India reached the target comfortably with plenty of deliveries to spare.
The result gives India a 1-0 advantage in the three-match ODI series. With Kohli and Gill both finding their rhythm and the bowling unit contributing through Kuldeep’s four-wicket haul, India will now look to carry the momentum into the second ODI.