Kohli struck src39 not out from 88 balls and Shubman Gill made srcsrc0 as India chased down 296 with 50 balls to spare to take a src-0 lead in the three-match series. By Reuters September 28, 2026, 2:34:43 AM IST (Published)
Virat Kohli became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach src5,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone with an unbeaten century as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening one-day international on Sunday. Kohli struck src39 not out from 88 balls and Shubman Gill made srcsrc0 as India chased down 296 with 50 balls to spare to take a src-0 lead in the three-match series.
“I got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and play a gear to higher end, that was exciting for me to work on,” Kohli said after the match in Thiruvananthapuram. “It excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help, you know, anything that you play for, be it playing for India or in the IPL. It’s really helped me a lot to play with a free mind and I think that is what is working for me.”
Rohit Sharma and Gill launched the chase with a 74-run opening stand before Sharma was dismissed in the src2th over.
Gill, the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, then took control, maintaining the aggressive approach and bringing up his src0th ODI century with a sweep. Kohli came in at number three and notched up his 86th international century, while Gill struck srcsrc0 from src08 deliveries as the pair put on a dominant src5src-run stand off src32 balls that all but sealed the contest. Roston Chase eventually removed Gill but Ruturaj Gaikwad made src3 off src9 balls and helped Kohli to steer India home without further alarm. Kohli sealed victory with successive boundaries.
Put in to bat, Justin Greaves and John Campbell gave West Indies a strong start, adding src35 from srcsrc7 balls for the opening wicket. India struggled to find a breakthrough for much of the first 20 overs as the pair dominated the bowling and provided a solid platform. Greaves, who was dropped by Sharma on src6, made India pay with a maiden ODI century and top-scored for the visitors.
The momentum shifted when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Campbell in the 20th over, beating him in the air as he swept a catch to short fine leg. Yadav and Prasidh Krishna then applied the brakes as West Indies lost four wickets for 22 runs between the 3srcst and 36th overs.
Yadav finished with 4-40 on his ODI return but Amir Jangoo counter-attacked with 58 off 43 balls. With support from Chase, he helped West Indies to recover from src98-5 and post 295.
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