India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sports Hub International Cricket Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27. India chased down West Indies' target of 296 in just 41.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
After winning the toss, India captain Shubman Gill opted to bowl first. West Indies posted 295/7 in 50 overs, with Justin Greaves scoring 101 and John Campbell contributing 62. Amir Jangoo also made an unbeaten 58. Kuldeep Yadav was India's standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 40 runs in his 10 overs. India's chase was led by centuries from Gill and Virat Kohli. Gill scored 110 off 108 balls, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 off 88 deliveries, including 10 fours and nine sixes. The pair added 151 runs for the second wicket to put India firmly in control of the chase.
Kohli's century also saw him reach the landmark of 15,000 ODI runs. His unbeaten 139 was his 55th ODI century. He also moved past Sachin Tendulkar to become India's highest run-scorer in ODIs on home soil, reaching 7,006 runs in 131 innings.
Gill's century was his 10th in ODIs and came after Rohit Sharma scored 32 at the top of the order. Gill and Kohli's partnership ensured India completed the chase comfortably, with the hosts finishing on 300/2 in 41.4 overs.
The match also marked the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India's ODI side, with the series forming part of India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India captain Shubman Gill said the best way to get the most out of Virat Kohli is to let the star batter be himself after his unbeaten 139 off 88 balls powered India to an eight-wicket win over West Indies in the first ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.
Gill himself scored 110 and shared a 151-run partnership with Kohli as India chased down West Indies' 296-run target in just 41.4 overs, with 50 balls to spare. The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kohli, who crossed the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket during his innings, looked in complete control throughout the chase. He struck 10 fours and nine sixes in his unbeaten knock.
"He's batting superbly and I think he's enjoying the game a lot more, playing with freedom. Those are the facts of his batting and he always had the game, the ability to clear the boundary at will, he's doing that right now," Gill said during the post-match presentation.
"Someone like him, who's won so many games for India, you let him be and on the day he will win the matches for you," he added.
Gill admitted he was disappointed at getting out before the end of the chase.
"Honestly when I got out, I thought I should have finished the game. But it was a satisfying innings for me," he said.
