THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (AP) — Cricket great Virat Kohli celebrated his return to the international arena with his 55th ODI hundred as India beat West Indies by eight wickets in the series opener on Sunday.

The star batter – who only plays this format of cricket on the international stage – scored 139 not out off 88 balls, including 10 fours and nine sixes, as India finished its successful chase on 300-2 in 41.4 overs.

In doing so, Kohli also became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) to reach the 15,000-run mark in ODIs.

Skipper Shubman Gill scored 110 off 108 as India registered an easy win — clinched with a Kohli six — to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Earlier, West Indies had scored 295-7 in 50 overs after being put into bat. Opener Justin Greaves scored 101 off 108 – his first ODI hundred – but couldn’t propel the visitors to a higher score. Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took 4-40 in 10 overs.

Kohli returns to hit his 55th ODI century as India beats West Indies by 8 wickets in series opener | iNFOnews.ca — India’s Virat Kohli, left, and India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad smiles as they leaves the ground after winning the first one day international cricket matchagainst West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, India, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/ Rafiq Maqbool)

It was a quick-fire chase for India as openers Gill and Rohit Sharma added 74 off 72 balls. Sharma scored 32 off 35 with two fours and three sixes. Both Sharma and Kohli only feature in this format on the international stage, having previously retired from both tests and T20s.

India scored 70-0 in the powerplay.

Enter the king

Sharma was caught off Alzarri Joseph (1-81) in the 12th over, which brought Kohli to the crease.

He eased his way to 50 off 40 balls, hitting the 15,000-milestone on the way and the fastest to do it at 303 innings, while Tendulkar crossed it in 377 innings.

At the other end, Gill scored 50 off 49 and then 100 off 96 balls.

In all, the duo put on 151 off 132 balls for the second wicket as West Indies didn’t get a chance to mount a comeback.

Gill’s dismissal came against the run of play – out caught in the 34th over – while Kohli powered on to his next 50 off only 34 balls.

Kohli got 100 off 74 balls in all, with six sixes and as many fours, and finished the game with 8.2 overs to spare.

Kohli’s nine sixes were his most in an ODI innings – he had hit eight against Sri Lanka at the same venue in 2023. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 13 not out.

“My focus has never been on milestones. Just looking back at the start of my journey, it makes me feel very grateful,” Kohli said. “I enjoy each and every minute that I am out there playing for India, and I am able to do the job for my team. As a cricketer, this is all I could dream of.”

Good start for West Indies

Earlier, West Indies got off to a good start at Greenfield International Stadium with openers Greaves and John Campbell putting on 135 runs for the first wicket.

Campbell scored 62 off 60 balls, while Greaves scored 50 off 42 and doubled it up in another 52 balls for his ODI ton.

But Kuldeep Yadav’s entry into the bowling attack slowed things down for West Indies. He got the first breakthrough in the 20th over, with Campbell out caught.

Then Yadav struck a double blow in the 36th – Greaves was out lbw shortly after his hundred and Jewel Andrew was caught at slip for a golden duck.

West Indies slipped to 198-5 in 35.4 overs, even as Amir Jangoo scored 58 not out off 43 balls to revive the innings. But it finished with an under-par score on a batter-friendly pitch.

Guwahati and Chandigarh will host the second and third ODIs on Wednesday and Saturday, followed by a five-match T20 series starting Oct. 6.

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