Kuldeep Yadav Shines as India Secures Victory Over West Indies in 1st ODI

In a thrilling first ODI, India triumphed over West Indies with an 8-wicket victory, thanks to Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional four-wicket haul and Virat Kohli's stunning century. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor praised Kuldeep's bowling skills, highlighting his control and impact on the game. Kohli's performance, alongside Shubman Gill's fluent innings, ensured a commanding chase of 296 runs. This match sets a promising tone for the three-match series, showcasing India's cricketing prowess.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 00:46 IST

India's Dominant Performance in the 1st ODI

Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], September 27: Shashi Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, commended Kuldeep Yadav for his impressive four-wicket haul, labeling him the standout player in India's 8-wicket triumph against the West Indies during the first ODI on Sunday.

Tharoor emphasized Kuldeep's exceptional control over his bowling, which effectively stifled the West Indies' batting efforts. He also lauded Virat Kohli for his remarkable century, describing it as a must-see performance.

Kohli's splendid century, along with Shubman Gill's fluent innings, propelled India to a decisive victory, reaching 300 runs for the loss of just two wickets in 41.4 overs at the Greenfield International Stadium.

Kuldeep emerged as the leading bowler, taking four wickets and earning the Player of the Match title for his outstanding performance.

“I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. Kuldeep bowled exceptionally well, and for me, he is the man of the match because the pitch offered little for bowlers. His mastery over line and flight made a significant impact, effectively curbing the West Indies batsmen's progress. Virat is in excellent form, and his innings was truly a sight to behold,” Tharoor remarked after the match.

With a target of 296 runs, India successfully chased it down, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

This victory marks a strong beginning for India in the series, highlighted by Kohli's record-setting performance and Gill's century, which overshadowed the West Indies' initial strong start, thanks to Kuldeep's four-wicket haul that limited their total.