India Secures Dominant Win Over West Indies in First ODI

In the first ODI against the West Indies, India showcased a dominant performance, led by captain Shubman Gill and star batsman Virat Kohli. Gill expressed regret over his dismissal but was pleased with his century, while Kohli's unbeaten 139 helped secure an eight-wicket victory. Kuldeep Yadav's four wickets were crucial in restricting the West Indies, setting the stage for India's successful chase. The match highlighted India's depth in batting and their strategy to explore new combinations as they aim for a series win.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 27, 2026, 23:02 IST

Shubman Gill Reflects on His Performance

After scoring a fluent century against the West Indies in the opening ODI, Indian captain Shubman Gill expressed some regret over his dismissal, feeling he should have completed the chase. Nonetheless, he was pleased with his performance.

Team Effort Leads to Victory

With Virat Kohli's impressive century alongside Gill's solid innings, India achieved a convincing eight-wicket win over the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday. Gill commended Kuldeep Yadav for his pivotal wickets during a challenging phase, labeling him a natural wicket-taker. He also praised Kohli's current form, noting that the veteran batsman is playing with great freedom and effectively utilizing his ability to hit boundaries. Gill acknowledged that Kohli has earned the liberty to play his game after contributing significantly to India's success. Additionally, he mentioned the team's aim to cultivate an eighth batting option capable of adding around 25 runs, indicating a willingness to experiment with various combinations.

'Should Have Finished It'

"When I got out, I felt I should have finished the chase. However, it was a satisfying innings overall. Kuldeep is a wicket-taker; he turned the game around for us with crucial wickets. Kohli is batting excellently and enjoying the game. He has the ability to clear the boundary and has won many matches for India, so we want him to play freely. We're looking for an eighth batting option who can contribute around 25 runs and are open to trying different combinations," Gill stated post-match.

Dominant Chase Secures the Win

Kohli remained not out at an impressive 139 runs off 88 balls, hitting 11 fours and seven sixes with a strike rate of 153.40, while Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed an unbeaten 13 runs off 19 balls. Chasing a target of 296, India reached 300/2 in just 41.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Captain Gill played a crucial role, scoring 110 runs off 108 balls, including 13 fours and a six.

'Felt Awkward to Receive This Award': Kuldeep Yadav

Yadav was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets and earning the Player of the Match title for his exceptional performance. He acknowledged the batting prowess of Gill and Kohli while admitting that receiving the award felt somewhat awkward. Yadav expressed satisfaction with his rhythm and composure, trusting his instincts while bowling according to his feelings in the moment.

"I truly appreciated the batting from Shubman and Virat bhai. Receiving this award feels a bit awkward. I was pleased with my rhythm and remained calm, bowling what I felt was right. It's great to regain confidence, but I believe there's still room for improvement. When you're in good flow, everything appears to be in order," Yadav remarked after the match.

A Strong Start to the Series

This victory marks an excellent beginning for India in the three-match series, highlighted by Kohli's record-setting innings and Gill's century, which dominated the chase after Kuldeep's four-wicket haul limited the West Indies to a subpar total despite their strong start.