India Beat West Indies by 8 Wickets as Kohli and Gill Hit Centuries in 1st ODI

Powerplay: West Indies Make a Fast Start

West Indies began the innings positively and put India’s bowlers under pressure during the opening phase. John Campbell and his opening partner built a substantial platform, with the opening partnership eventually reaching 135 runs.

The early momentum gave West Indies a strong foundation and allowed the middle order to play with greater freedom. India had to wait for the opening breakthrough before gaining more control over the innings.

Middle Overs: India Pull the Run Rate Back

India gradually changed the direction of the innings through disciplined bowling and regular wickets. Kuldeep Yadav was particularly effective in the middle overs, finishing with 4/40 from his 10 overs.

Despite losing wickets, Justin Greaves kept the innings together. He converted his start into a century and became the standout contributor for West Indies with the bat. His hundred ensured that the visitors remained in a position to post a competitive total.

Death Overs: West Indies Finish on 295/7

West Indies entered the final overs with the opportunity to push beyond 300, but India’s bowling attack limited the scoring rate. Amir Jangoo remained unbeaten on 58, helping West Indies finish on 295/7 after 50 overs.

The final total was competitive, particularly after West Indies had reached 135 without losing a wicket. However, India’s batting depth and the pace of the chase meant that 295 was ultimately not enough to defend.

Early Phase: India Lose Rohit Sharma

India started the chase positively but lost Rohit Sharma after he made 32. The early wicket gave West Indies an opportunity to put pressure on the hosts, but Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli quickly settled the innings.

Rather than allowing the required rate to become a concern, Gill and Kohli built the chase around controlled stroke play. Their partnership shifted the momentum firmly towards India.

Middle Overs: Gill and Kohli Take Control

Shubman Gill reached his 10th ODI century during a composed innings of 110 from 108 balls. He provided stability at one end while Kohli increasingly accelerated the scoring from the other.

Gill and Kohli added 151 runs for the second wicket, turning a potentially competitive chase into a one-sided contest. Their partnership also ensured that India entered the final phase with very little pressure on the required run rate.

Final Overs: Kohli Finishes the Chase Unbeaten

Virat Kohli produced the defining innings of the chase, finishing unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls. His innings included 10 fours and nine sixes, and he completed his 55th ODI century during the process.

Kohli also crossed the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket, becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the milestone. India eventually reached 300/2 in 41.4 overs, completing an eight-wicket victory with 50 balls remaining.

Kuldeep Yadav Breaks West Indies’ Momentum

West Indies had established a strong position after their openers put together a 135-run partnership. At that stage, the visitors had the platform to push well beyond a competitive total.

India’s response came through the middle overs, with Kuldeep Yadav providing the key breakthrough spells. His 4/40 from 10 overs put sustained pressure on the West Indies middle order and prevented the scoring rate from remaining at its early level.

Justin Greaves’ century kept West Indies competitive, but the regular wickets meant India could control the final phase more effectively. West Indies eventually finished on 295/7 rather than converting their excellent opening platform into a substantially higher total.

That shift proved decisive once India’s top order began the chase. With 296 required, India had enough batting quality to absorb the early wicket of Rohit Sharma before Gill and Kohli took control of the match.

1. India Controlled the Middle Overs

West Indies made an excellent start with a 135-run opening partnership, but India prevented that momentum from carrying through the entire innings. Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/40 was central to India’s recovery and helped restrict West Indies to 295/7.

2. Gill and Kohli Built the Chase Around a 151-Run Stand

After Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli absorbed the early pressure and established control. Their 151-run second-wicket partnership removed the need for India to take unnecessary risks during the middle phase of the chase.

3. India’s Top Order Converted the Platform

Gill’s 110 gave India stability, while Kohli’s unbeaten 139 provided the acceleration required to finish the chase quickly. Their contrasting but complementary approach kept the required rate comfortably under control.

4. India Finished the Chase Decisively

India did not allow West Indies to create a late opening. Kohli remained unbeaten as India reached 300/2 in 41.4 overs, completing the chase with 50 balls remaining and taking a 1–0 series lead.

1. The Strong Opening Was Not Fully Converted

West Indies’ 135-run opening partnership gave them an excellent foundation. However, the innings lost momentum once India began taking regular wickets in the middle overs.

2. India’s Middle-Overs Bowling Created Pressure

Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/40 was particularly important after the West Indies openers had established control. His wickets prevented the visitors from maintaining the scoring rate they had achieved early in the innings.

3. West Indies Faced a Difficult Chase Defense

A total of 295/7 was competitive, but India’s batting lineup was able to attack the target without needing to take excessive risks. Once Gill and Kohli established their partnership, West Indies struggled to create sustained pressure.

4. Gill and Kohli Took the Game Away

The 151-run second-wicket partnership changed the equation of the chase. Gill’s century provided stability, while Kohli’s unbeaten 139 accelerated the scoring and ensured that West Indies had very little opportunity to force a late turnaround.

Virat Kohli Reaches 55 ODI Centuries

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 was his 55th century in ODI cricket. He reached the milestone during an innings that combined controlled batting with a powerful acceleration in the final stages of India’s chase.

Kohli Crosses 15,000 ODI Runs

Kohli also became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 runs in men’s ODI cricket. The milestone came during his unbeaten 139 against West Indies.

Gill Completes His 10th ODI Century

Shubman Gill’s 110 marked his 10th century in ODI cricket. His innings was particularly important because it provided the foundation for India’s successful chase after Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal.

Greaves Scores His Maiden ODI Century

Justin Greaves reached his first ODI century while carrying West Indies through the middle and final stages of their innings. His 101 was the highest individual score for West Indies in the match.

151-Run Partnership Changes the Chase

Gill and Kohli added 151 runs for the second wicket. The partnership transformed India’s chase from a competitive pursuit into a controlled finish and left West Indies with limited opportunities to regain momentum.

India Take the Early Series Advantage

The victory puts India ahead 1–0 with two matches still to play. The hosts now have the opportunity to close out the series in the next two games, while West Indies need a response to keep the contest alive.

West Indies Need a Stronger Bowling Response

West Indies showed their batting potential by reaching 295/7, but India’s chase exposed the difficulty of defending that total. The visitors will need to find a way to create more sustained pressure against India’s top order in the remaining matches.

Kohli and Gill Give India a Strong Batting Platform

The performances of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill provide India with significant momentum heading into the second ODI. Their 151-run partnership was the central feature of the chase and allowed India to finish the opening match comfortably.

The Remaining Two ODIs Become Crucial

With India leading 1–0, the second ODI becomes an important opportunity for both teams. India can strengthen its position in the series, while West Indies will be looking to level the contest before the final match.

India vs West Indies 2nd ODI

The second ODI is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM IST.

India enters the second match with a 1–0 series lead after the eight-wicket victory in Thiruvananthapuram. West Indies will need to level the series in Guwahati to take the contest into a deciding third ODI.

India’s batting will again be a major talking point after Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 and Shubman Gill’s 110 powered the opening-match chase. West Indies will also look for a stronger bowling response after India reached 300/2 in 41.4 overs.

West Indies produced a competitive first-innings total of 295/7, led by Justin Greaves’ maiden ODI century. However, India’s middle-overs bowling limited the damage before Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli took control of the chase.

Gill’s 110 and Kohli’s unbeaten 139 powered India to 300/2 in 41.4 overs. The result gives India a 1–0 lead in the three-match series, with the second ODI scheduled in Guwahati on September 30.