1st ODI: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill centuries power India to emphatic 8-wicket win over West Indies

Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill (BCCI Photo) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Virat Kohli brought up his record 55th ODI century with an emphatic six, marching past 15,000 runs in the format. India captain Shubman Gill also looked commanding as he reached his 10th ODI hundred by unleashing his signature cuts and drives. Between them, India trotted to an 8-wicket victory here at the Greenfield International Stadium in a chase that never felt like a contest.A brilliant opening volley from Rohit Sharma, whose 35-ball 32 laid the foundation for India’s chase as the hosts eased past a target of 295 runs in 41.4 overs against a lackluster West Indies bowling attack. India’s composure with the bat came after a clinical display from Kuldeep Yadav, his wrister sweeping through the West Indies middle order with four wickets. This match was a lesson in class, distance and everything in between.Gill and Kohli put together a 151-run stand for the second wicket that brought the Thiruvananthapuram crowd to their feet, and for a while it looked like the two would see a home chase between them. Cramps and fatigue got the better of Gill as he finally departed, his 110 off 108 balls, with 13 fours and a six, a knock that had the entire class written off. Still chasing what he considers “unfinished business” ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Kohli was eventually unbeaten on a barely believable 88-ball 139, his tenth ODI ton against the West Indies.West Indies didn’t have much to show for the afternoon, but they did have Justin Greaves. Asked to bat first, the visitors relied almost entirely on their opener, who cracked the first ODI set, 101 off 108 balls to drag the visitors to 295/7. He put on 135 for the first wicket with John Campbell chipping in with a brisk 62 off 60, and that alone was worth the price of admission: West Indies’ first ODI century opening partnership in two years.Just when it looked like the West Indies would run away with the game, Kuldeep spun the net with figures of 10-1-40-4. It was a tour-de-force performance from India’s virtuoso Chinese bowler, who played a different competition than the rest of his teammates.After a series of wide deliveries that left West Indies’ John Campbell visibly irritated, Kuldeep dropped one full and straight on the stumps. On cue, Campbell was provoked and went for a mistimed sweep that was caught by Prasidh Krishna at backward square leg. Kuldeep then deceived West Indies captain Shai Hope with a drift, producing a leading edge that drifted towards Ravindra Jadeja at cover.Kuldeep’s standout knock was the way he dismissed opener Justin Greaves, who was trapped lbw after missing a length ball on leg stump. Greaves’ departure sent jitters in the visitors’ dressing room and on the next delivery, the Kanpur spinner bowled Jewel Andrew with a googly to claim his fourth scalp.Kuldeep’s timely knocks meant West Indies lost their momentum in the middle overs, completing redemption for the 31-year-old who endured a lukewarm Test series in Sri Lanka. Whatever Kuldeep lost in Sri Lanka, he found again in Thiruvananthapuram.