Shubman Gill scored his 11th century in ODI cricket, while Virat Kohli made his 55th century.
Opener John Campbell (62) and Justin Greaves of Windies amassed 135 runs for the opening wicket, but Greaves kept going strong to score a brilliant 101 runs studded with 12 fours.
Although Kuldeep Yadav claimed a few quick wickets, it was the unbeaten 58 and 24 runs by Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase, respectively, which helped the West Indies to post 295/7 in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball for India, taking 4/40.
Rohit Sharma gave a good start, scoring 32, but after his dismissal, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli took matters into their own hands and added 151 runs for the second wicket.
Gill made 110 with 13 fours and one six, and after his dismissal, Virat Kohli took charge and hammered 139* in 89 balls with 10 fours and 9 sixes, taking India to victory in 41.4 overs with 8 wickets in hand. With this win, India went 1-0 up in the series, and Kuldeep Yadav won the Player of the Match award.
Virat Kohli talked to the broadcasters and stated that he has gotten more clarity about his role for the Indian team in ODIs, especially after he retired from Tests and T20Is.
“Yeah, I mean, also clarity. I mean, we're a year away from the World Cup. I know what my goal is, and yeah, it's pretty clear for me that whatever games we get, I just need to keep working on different aspects of the game, keep myself physically fit, challenge myself to be out there, run from boundary to boundary in the last 15 overs if I can, field in the inner ring, and show intensity. If I keep ticking all those boxes, as I said, I've got some time left to play in this format as well, and yeah, I just want to enjoy every day.
So, when I get an opportunity, I feel happy rather than feeling anxiety or pressure to make the most of it. And I just want to express myself and play my game. As I said, I promised myself I'm going to play positively because I can. So, I'm going to continue to play like that but not be reckless. There's a fine line, which, as a professional, as an experienced player, I should have the ability to execute in this way without playing reckless shots and getting the team through,” Kohli stated after the match, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Kohli was particularly praiseful of Shubman Gill, as the Indian captain seized the opportunity to score big. He took on the West Indies bowlers and hit them to all parts of the ground, and even his dismissal came as he was trying to hit a six.
“There's a reason why he's leading the team. He's got the right perspective, as I said, to look at the game in the way that makes the team win from different situations. So, when you play with a guy like that, it's not very difficult to string together a partnership, because he knows what needs to be done, and I know what needs to be done. You could have a conversation here and there based on your experience in terms of the areas we could probably hit, but he's the top ODI batter in the world.
There's not much that needs to be said to him. It's just about stringing in partnerships and making sure we do justice to the ability and the talent we have in this team. And he's probably up there with the best players in the world and obviously a very talented guy. So not having to say much to him while batting. In the field, when he needs my help, I'm always available,” Kohli stated.
India and the West Indies will clash in the second ODI of the series in Guwahati on September 30.