Thiruvananthapuram: Virat Kohli once again gave Indian cricket fans a moment to celebrate as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
While the night belonged to Kohli’s record-breaking knock, it was also a strong team performance that helped India chase down the target with ease.
Chasing 296 runs, India reached 300 for two in just 41.4 overs, winning the match with 50 balls to spare. Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls, while captain Shubman Gill also played a brilliant knock of 110 runs off 108 balls.
Kohli’s innings became the biggest highlight of the night. He crossed the mark of 15,000 ODI runs and became the fastest batter to reach the milestone. He achieved the feat in his 303rd innings, while Sachin Tendulkar had reached 15,000 ODI runs in 377 innings.
The former India captain then completed another memorable milestone by smashing his 55th ODI century and his 86th international century.
Kohli reached his hundred in just 74 balls and celebrated the milestone by hitting Gudakesh Motie for a six over long-on. His knock included ten fours and nine sixes.
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The century brought the Thiruvananthapuram crowd to its feet as Kohli raised his bat and helmet after completing another landmark in his career. But before India’s batters took charge, the bowlers had laid the foundation for the victory.
West Indies posted 295 for seven in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat. Justin Greaves led their innings with a century, scoring 101 runs from 108 balls, while John Campbell added 62.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 40 runs. Prasidh Krishna also picked up two wickets, while Nitish Kumar Reddy took one.
India’s response was then led by Gill and Kohli.
Gill brought up his century as captain, while Kohli continued his aggressive batting at the other end. Together, they kept the pressure on the West Indies bowlers and took India close to the target without allowing the chase to become difficult.
The victory therefore became more than just another Kohli record.
It was a complete Indian performance, Kuldeep’s four wickets, Gill’s century and Kohli’s 139 helped India start the ODI series with a convincing win.
For Kohli, however, the evening added another special chapter to his career, with 15,000 ODI runs and his 86th international century arriving on the same memorable night.