India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Gill, Kohli Centuries Power India to Win
India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli Centuries Power India to Eight-Wicket Victory
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: India produced a commanding performance in the first ODI against West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Led by centuries from captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, India chased down a target of 296 runs with eight wickets in hand and 50 balls remaining.
West Indies posted 295/7 in 50 overs, but India’s batting response turned the contest into a one-sided affair. India reached 300/2 in 41.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
West Indies Post 295/7
After winning the toss, West Indies made a positive start and managed to put a competitive total on the board.
Justin Greaves was the leading scorer for the visitors, producing a century and finishing with 101 runs from 108 balls. John Campbell also contributed with 62 runs.
For India, spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler. He claimed 4 wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs, restricting West Indies during the middle overs. Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets, while Nitish Kumar Reddy took one.
Shubman Gill Leads India’s Chase
India’s chase began positively, with captain Shubman Gill playing a confident innings at the top of the order.
Gill scored 110 runs from 108 deliveries, including 13 fours and a six. His century provided the foundation for India’s successful chase.
Gill and Kohli then put together a crucial 151-run partnership, effectively taking the game away from West Indies.
Gill eventually departed after completing his century, receiving a strong reception from the crowd.
Virat Kohli Produces Another ODI Masterclass
Virat Kohli was the star of the second half of India’s chase.
The former India captain remained unbeaten on 139 runs from 88 balls, attacking the West Indies bowling during the latter stages of the innings. His innings included 10 fours and nine sixes according to the match reports.
Kohli’s century was his 55th ODI hundred. During the innings, he also became only the second men’s ODI batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs. He reached the landmark during his innings against West Indies.
India Complete the Chase in 41.4 Overs
After Gill’s dismissal, Kohli continued the attack and finished the match alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, who remained unbeaten on 13.
India reached 300/2 in 41.4 overs, winning by eight wickets with 50 balls to spare.
The result gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 295/7 (50 overs) |
| India | 300/2 (41.4 overs) |
| Result | India won by 8 wickets |
| Series | India lead 1-0 |
Top Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 139* off 88 balls |
| Shubman Gill | 110 off 108 balls |
| Justin Greaves | 101 off 108 balls |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4/40 in 10 overs |
Kuldeep Yadav Named Player of the Match
Despite the spectacular centuries from Gill and Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul.
His spell of 4/40 played an important role in preventing West Indies from posting a significantly larger total and gave India’s batters a manageable target to chase.
What the Victory Means for India
India’s performance combined a disciplined bowling effort with an aggressive batting display. Kuldeep’s spell restricted West Indies in the middle overs, while Gill and Kohli ensured that the run chase never became a serious concern.
With India now leading the series 1-0, attention will turn to the next ODI as West Indies look to level the three-match series.
Conclusion
India began the ODI series against West Indies in impressive fashion at Thiruvananthapuram. Shubman Gill’s century provided the platform, while Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 completed a dominant chase.
With 300/2 in 41.4 overs, India secured an eight-wicket victory and moved ahead 1-0 in the series. Kohli’s 15,000 ODI-run milestone and his 55th ODI century added another significant chapter to his international career.
Information in this article is based on published match reports and scorecard information. Match statistics may be updated or corrected by official cricket authorities.
