Kohli’s 139 Not Out Leads India To Dominant ODI Victory Over West Indies

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139 and Shubman Gill’s century powered India to an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Sunday’s first ODI at Greenfield International Stadium.

India finished on 300/2 in 41.4 overs, with 50 deliveries to spare, to move ahead 1-0 in the three-match series.

Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets as the visitors posted 295/7. India’s reply began with a 74-run stand between Gill and Rohit Sharma. Rohit contributed 32 before Alzarri Joseph dismissed him at deep square leg.

Gill and Kohli then shared 151 runs, placing India in command of the chase. Gill’s 110 came off 108 balls and featured 13 fours and one six. He left the field to applause after being dismissed, having survived a dropped catch early in his innings and reaching three figures in the 31st over.

Kohli brought up his fifty in 40 deliveries and increased the scoring rate as India approached the target. He reached 15,000 ODI runs during the innings, becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the milestone.

Kohli is the fastest batter to reach the mark in the format.

Kohli’s 139 not out included 10 fours and nine sixes from 88 balls.

The knock delivered his 55th ODI hundred and his 10th against the West Indies, while the nine sixes marked his highest tally in an ODI innings. He reached his century in 74 balls, recording his third-fastest hundred in the format.

Ruturaj Gaikwad stayed alongside Kohli after Gill’s departure as the chase neared its conclusion.

Kohli escaped a dropped catch on 125 before sealing the result with a pulled six over fine leg.

Brief Scores

West Indies 295/7 (Justin Greaves 101, John Campbell 62; Kuldeep Yadav 4-40, Prasidh Krishna 2-60) lost to India 300/2 (Virat Kohli 139 not out, Shubman Gill 110; Roston Chase 1-64, Alzarri Joseph 1-81) by eight wickets.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Reaches 15,000 ODI Runs; Becomes Second Batter After Tendulkar