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The India vs West Indies 1st ODI saw a strong performance from India. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill scored centuries. Their batting helped India beat West Indies by eight wickets in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
West Indies scored 295/7 after 50 overs. India chased the target in only 41.4 overs. As a result, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Kohli stayed unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls. Gill added 110 runs. Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets for India.
India vs West Indies: Justin Greaves Hits a Century
India won the toss and chose to field first. However, West Indies made a strong start. Justin Greaves and John Campbell added 135 runs for the first wicket.
Campbell scored 62 from 60 balls. Kuldeep Yadav then ended the opening stand. Greaves continued to attack and soon reached his maiden ODI century.
His final score was 101 from 108 balls. However, India’s bowlers soon found a way back into the game.
Kuldeep removed Shai Hope first. Soon after, he dismissed Greaves and Jewel Andrew in successive deliveries. As a result, West Indies fell from 176/2 to 198/5.
The visitors lost three wickets for 22 runs. Kuldeep finished with 4/40 from 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna took two wickets, while Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one.
Later, Amir Jangoo provided some late momentum. His unbeaten 58 came from just 43 balls. West Indies eventually reached 295/7 after 50 overs.
India Start the Chase Strongly
India began the chase with confidence. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 74 runs for the first wicket.
Rohit made 32 from 35 balls. Alzarri Joseph then dismissed the opener. Soon after, Virat Kohli walked out to bat.
The former captain settled quickly at the crease. Meanwhile, Gill continued to find runs. Together, the batters kept the required rate under control.
India vs West Indies: Kohli and Gill Dominate the Chase
The second-wicket stand soon changed the match. Gill reached his 10th ODI century and finished with 110 runs.
At the other end, Kohli produced a superb innings. He remained unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls. His knock included 10 fours and nine sixes.
Another milestone came during the innings. Kohli completed his 55th ODI century and reached 15,000 ODI runs.
Only Sachin Tendulkar had previously reached the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket. Gill was later dismissed for 110, but India were already close to victory.
Ruturaj Gaikwad joined Kohli at the crease. The pair needed only a few more runs to finish the chase.
India reached 300/2 in 41.4 overs. The result gave the hosts an eight-wicket victory.
Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill celebrate during India’s successful chase.
India Take 1-0 Lead in the Series
India won with 50 balls remaining. Their successful chase also gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Kohli’s unbeaten 139 was the highlight of the chase. Gill’s 110 also played a major role. Meanwhile, Kuldeep’s four-wicket haul helped India restrict West Indies to 295/7.
West Indies will now look to bounce back in the second ODI. India, on the other hand, will aim to continue their strong start.
By: Rishi Agre, Shruti Prabhune
Photo: Niti Ladha
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