Kohli masterclass helps India clinch first ODI against Windies
Tons from Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill guide India to a comfortable victory over West Indies in the first ODI.
India secured a comprehensive victory in the first ODI against West Indies, with centuries from Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill guiding them to a comprehensive eight-wicket win.
It was a milestone-filled day for Kohli, who reached 15,000 ODI runs, becoming only the second player after the great Sachin Tendulkar to reach the landmark. And while mastering yet another chase, the 37-year-old brought up his 55th ODI ton.
After the toss went Gill's way, the West Indies were put in to bat first in Thiruvananthapuram.
Openers Justin Greaves and John Campbell got the visitors off to a flying start. The duo fired in boundaries at regular intervals to keep the scorecard ticking at over six an over.
Campbell made a breezy 60-ball 62 that was laced with six fours and three wickets before Kuldeep Yadav's magical wrist brought the first wicket. Campbell and Greaves made 135 for the opening wicket in just 19.2 overs.
Greaves kept going and despite India disrupting their momentum now and then, the all-rounder brought up his maiden ODI century but fell soon after to Kuldeep.
Amir Jangoo's late surge of 58* from 43 ensured the West Indies reached 295/7.
Kuldeep finished his superb spell with 4/40, while Prasidh Krishna struck twice (2/60) and Nitish Reddy chipped in with a wicket (1/45).
India got off to a breezy start in the chase, adding 70 runs in the first 10 overs. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma looked in control as they began chipping away at the West Indies total, although the hosts were handed an early reprieve when Gill was dropped.
Rohit, who was dealing in boundaries, fell in the 12th over when Alzarri Joseph got the better of him. Kohli then joined Gill in the middle, and the pair immediately set about making light work of the chase.
The duo showcased their trademark calm and composure, steadily chipping away at the target while keeping West Indies out of the contest. Together, they forged a game-defining 151-run partnership off just 132 balls.
Gill brought up his 10th ODI century, scoring 110 off 108 balls, before Roston Chase ended his innings. Kohli then brought up his 55th ODI century, while becoming only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad added an unbeaten 13, but it was Kohli who finished the chase in style, sealing the victory with a six. He remained unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls as India chased down the target in just 41.4 overs.
The second ODI of the series will be played on 30 September in Guwahati.