15000-run club, another century, match-winning performance; Virat 'superstar' of Karyavattom again

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Caribbean batting efforts ended in vain at Karyavattom Greenfield Stadium as Virat Kohli (139 not out) and Shubman Gill (110) once again dazzled with spectacular centuries, helping India secure an 8-wicket victory in the first match of the three-game ODI series on Sunday. Batting first after losing the toss, the West Indies posted 295/7 in their allotted 50 overs, while India chased down the target in 41.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.

Virat Kohli became the second batter in history to complete 15,000 runs in One Day Internationals. Kohli reached this milestone on Sunday upon reaching an individual score of 59. Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 ODI runs) was the first batter to achieve this feat.

Virat smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls, featuring 10 fours and 9 sixes. Gill scored 110 off 108 balls, including 13 fours and a six. A 151-run partnership between the two for the second wicket laid the foundation for India's victory. West Indies opener Justin Greaves (101)—who scored a century—along with fellow opener John Campbell (62) and middle-order batsman Amir Jangoo (58 not out), helped the team reach a competitive total.

Greaves smashed four boundaries against Nitish Kumar in the second over; Nitish conceded 18 runs in that over, including a no-ball. West Indies reached 85 runs without losing a wicket in the first ten overs. In the 14th over, the team crossed the 100-run mark, and Greaves reached his half-century. Campbell also reached his half-century in the 17th over.

India had to wait till the 20th over to break the Windies' opening partnership. By the end of 25 overs, the Windies had reached 156/1, and stood at 176/1 after 30 overs. Prasidh brought relief to India by dismissing Keacy Carty (13) on the first ball of the 31st over; Shubman Gill took the catch. In the 34th over, Kuldeep had Shai Hope (13) caught by Jadeja, leaving the Windies at 195/3. Shortly after, Greaves completed his century, becoming the first overseas batter to score an ODI century at Greenfield. Kuldeep dismissed Greaves—who had scored 101 runs off 108 balls—trapping him LBW on the third ball of the 36th over. On the very next ball, Kuldeep dealt another blow to the Windies by having Jewel Andrew (0) caught by Rohit at slip.

Amir Jangoo, who settled in at the crease, scored 58 runs off 43 balls—including a four and a six—to help the West Indies reach a total of 295. Roston Chase was dismissed after scoring 24 runs. For India, Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets while conceding 40 runs in ten overs; Prasidh took two wickets, and Nitish claimed one.