India kicked off their new ODI season and the road to the 2027 World Cup, in the perfect fashion, thrashing the West Indies by 8 wickets in the first ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Centuries from Virat Kohli, captain Shubman Gill powered a comfortable chase, capping off a match that also produced a flurry of career milestones for Kohli.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 295 | Lost |
| India | 300/2 (chased down) | Won by 8 wickets |
West Indies Post: A Fighting 295
After Gill won the toss and chose to field, West Indies openers John Campbell (62) and Justin Greaves got their innings off to a flying start, putting on a stubborn 135-run opening stand that put India on the back foot early. Greaves went on to complete a brilliant maiden ODI hundred, anchoring the innings through the middle overs.
India hit back through Kuldeep Yadav, whose four-wicket haul triggered a middle-order collapse that pegged the visitors back to 198/5. A brisk fifty from Amir Jangoo lower down the order helped West Indies recover to a competitive 295, but the total proved well short of the mark against a rampaging Indian batting lineup.
Kohli and Gill Seal a Clinical Chase
In reply, India made light work of the target. Virat Kohli played a masterclass, reaching his century off just 74 balls, the third-fastest of his ODI career, and finishing unbeaten on 106. Along the way, he also brought up 15,000 ODI runs, becoming only the second batter in history after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the landmark.
Captain Shubman Gill matched him stroke for stroke, top-scoring with a magnificent 110 off 108 balls after being handed a reprieve on 11 by Keemo Paul. The pair’s unbroken partnership ensured India cruised home with overs to spare, sealing a resounding start to the three-match series.
With the series opener wrapped up in style, India will look to seal the series when the two sides meet again in the second ODI. For more on Team India’s build-up to the 2027 World Cup, check out TechnoSports’ Team India coverage.
