Virat Kohli hit his 55th ODI century as India chased down 296 in just 41.4 overs to beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI on Sunday. The 37-year-old smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls, with 10 fours and nine sixes, to secure a quick-fire victory.
The win puts India 1-0 up in a three-match series. Kohli now only plays ODIs internationally after retiring from Tests and T20Is. His innings took him past 15,000 ODI runs, making him only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the milestone.
“My focus has never been on milestones. Just looking back at the start of my journey, it makes me feel very grateful.”
Kohli’s Century
Kohli’s knock came quickly. He reached fifty in only 40 balls, and he hit the 15,000-milestone on the way. He is the fastest to 15,000 runs among batters, at 303 innings, compared to Tendulkar’s 377.
He cruised to a 74-ball hundred, before finishing the game in style with 8.2 overs to spare. His nine sixes were his most in an ODI innings.
Gill’s Century Too
Skipper Shubman Gill also scored a century, hitting 110 off 108 deliveries. The pair put on 151 off 132 balls for the second wicket before Gill departed against the run of play to Roston Chase in the 34th over.
Kohli kept going, and India chased the target easily. The win was sealed with a Kohli six.
West Indies Fight Back
West Indies posted 295-7 from their 50 overs after being put into bat. Opener Justin Greaves scored his maiden ODI ton, 101 off 108, sharing in an impressive 135-run opening partnership with John Campbell, who made 62 off 60 inside the first 20 overs.
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav wreaked havoc in the middle overs. He took 4-40 as West Indies were reduced to 198-5 by the 36th over.
Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 58 off 43 balls helped revive the innings, but the target of 296 proved an under-par one on a batter-friendly pitch.
The Chase
India’s openers got the innings moving. Rohit Sharma scored 32 off 35 in a quickfire 74-run stand off 72 balls with Shubman Gill.
Sharma fell to Alzarri Joseph for 1-81 in the 12th over. Kohli came to the crease and eased his way to fifty in 40 balls, hitting the 15,000 milestone on the way.
He and Gill put on 151 off 132 balls for the second wicket before the captain departed against the run of play to Roston Chase in the 34th over.
What Comes Next
Guwahati hosts the second ODI on Wednesday, with Chandigarh hosting the third on Saturday. A five-match T20 series starts on October 6.
The Milestone
Kohli passed 15,000 runs in 303 innings, compared to Tendulkar’s 377. He is the second batter after Tendulkar to reach the mark.
India will look to keep the momentum going in the remaining ODIs and the T20 series. Kohli’s form has been strong throughout the innings, and the team will need him to continue this run to hold on to the lead.
The win sets up a strong position for India ahead of the next two ODIs. Kohli’s century was the main force behind the chase, and Gill’s century gave the team the early momentum it needed. West Indies fought back through Greaves and Campbell, but Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-40 in the middle overs put them under pressure, and Amir Jangoo’s late cameo could not push the total far enough.
The series moves to Guwahati for the second ODI on Wednesday, then to Chandigarh on Saturday. Both matches will test Kohli’s ability to maintain his form across multiple games. The T20 series starting on October 6 adds further pressure, though India will hope the momentum from this opener carries through.
Kohli’s innings showed why he remains one of the best chasers in the game. He hit the 15,000 milestone on the way to fifty in 40 balls, and his 74-ball hundred came with the game still in hand. His nine sixes were his most in an ODI innings, and he finished the game with 8.2 overs to spare.
The 37-year-old’s focus on milestones was clear in his post-match comments. He said his attention has never been on personal records, instead looking back at the start of his journey with gratitude. He enjoys each minute on the field and feels grateful for the chance to play for India, he said.
India’s task is simple: keep winning. Kohli’s form has been strong throughout the innings, and the team will need him to continue this run to hold on to the lead. The next two ODIs will test that consistency, with Guwahati and Chandigarh hosting the matches on Wednesday and Saturday.
The T20 series starting on October 6 adds further pressure, though India will hope the momentum from this opener carries through. Kohli’s form has been strong throughout the innings, and the team will need him to continue this run to hold on to the lead.
Kohli’s century was the main force behind the chase, and Gill’s century gave the team the early momentum it needed. West Indies fought back through Greaves and Campbell, but Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-40 in the middle overs put them under pressure, and Amir Jangoo’s late cameo could not push the total far enough.
Source material: “Kohli passes 15,000 ODI runs as hundred helps India beat West Indies,” Sky Sports.
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