Kohli’s 55th ODI century powers India past West Indies in series opener

Thiruvananthapuram, 27 September 2026: Virat Kohli produced another commanding chase, scoring an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls and bringing up his 55th ODI century as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the opening ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium.

Kohli also crossed 15,000 ODI runs during the innings, becoming only the second player to reach the landmark. He finished the match with 15,080 ODI runs from 303 innings, underlining another major milestone in a career built around consistency in the format.

West Indies had earlier posted 295 for seven after India chose to field. Justin Greaves anchored the innings with 101 from 108 balls, while John Campbell made 62 and Amir Jangoo added an unbeaten 58.

The visitors had made a strong start, reaching 135 without loss, but Kuldeep Yadav turned the innings in India’s favour. The left-arm wrist-spinner removed Campbell, Shai Hope, Greaves and Jewel Andrew to finish with 4 for 40 from 10 overs.

West Indies recovered late through Jangoo and Roston Chase, but India were left with a target that always appeared within reach on a good batting surface.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a brisk start before Rohit fell for 32 with the score on 74. Gill then took control alongside Kohli, the pair adding 151 for the second wicket.

Gill reached his century from 96 balls and finished with 110 off 108, striking 13 fours and a six. His measured innings allowed Kohli to gradually shift gears after settling in.

Once established, Kohli dominated the attack. He reached fifty from 40 balls before accelerating sharply, bringing up his hundred from 74 deliveries with six fours and six sixes.

The milestone innings continued after Gill was dismissed at 225. Kohli attacked the West Indies bowlers with increasing freedom, eventually finishing unbeaten on 139 with 10 fours and nine sixes.

Fittingly, he sealed the match with a six as India reached 300 for two in 41.4 overs, winning with 50 balls to spare.

While Kohli’s innings provided the headline moment, Kuldeep’s intervention in the first innings was equally decisive. West Indies had been well placed for a total beyond 320 before his spell broke the top and middle order.

India’s victory gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the performance combining Kuldeep’s control with another landmark Kohli chase.

Scores in brief:

India won by 8 wickets with 50 balls remaining and lead the three-match ODI series 1-0

West Indies 295/7 (50 overs): Justin Greaves 101, John Campbell 62, Amir Jangoo 58*; Kuldeep Yadav 4/40, Prasidh Krishna 2/60

India 300/2 (41.4 overs): Virat Kohli 139*, Shubman Gill 110, Rohit Sharma 32; Roston Chase 1/64, Alzarri Joseph 1/81

Player of the Match: Kuldeep Yadav (India)