In the first of the three-ODI series, Shubman Gill-led India registered a comprehensive eight-wicket victory at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvanathapuram. In the run chase of 297, skipper Gill and Virat Kohli shared a 151-run partnership for the second wicket which ruled out West Indies' comeback. Both Gill and Kohli scored centuries but the latter's knock of unbeaten 139 from 88 balls stood out. On being asked about his partnership with Gill, Kohli lauded the young skipper. He labelled him as ‘top ODI batter in the world’ putting him in category of the best players in the world cricket currently.
“There's a reason why he's leading the team. He's got the right perspective to look at the game in the way that making the team win from different situations. So when you play with a guy like that, it's not very difficult to string in a partnership, because he knows what needs to be done, 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,” Kohli told the broadcasters after India’s win in the series opener.
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“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,” he added.
Kohli also assured everyone that he is always available for help whenever Gill needs him on the field. Before the ODI series, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had also said that Gill is lucky to have senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma guiding him on the field.
Kohli ups the ante
Kohli finished the run chase with a six in the 42nd over bowled by Keacy Carty. He struck as many as nine sixes and 10 fours in his 88-ball 139. He batted with a stupendous strike rate of 157.95 as he continues to evolve his game as per conditions and needs of the modern era. This was his 10th ODI century against West Indies, the joint-most against a single opponent in the format.
Kohli crosses 15,000 ODI runs milestone
This is the first time Kohli’s strike rate has gone past 94. On September 28, he also completed 15,000 runs in ODI cricket. He is only behind his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, who has 18,426 runs in ODIs. Kohli has already surpassed Tendulkar's record for most ODI centuries. It was his 55th of ODI career. However, with ODI World Cup 2027 being his last major ICC tournament, Kohli may not be able to break Tendulkar's record for most ODI runs.
Kohli has been in red-hot form in ODIs this year. Despite missing the Afghanistan ODI series due to an injury, he has 523 runs from seven innings, averaging 87.16, including two centuries and three fifties. His strike rate is 116.74. He is third on the list of top ODI run-scorers in 2026, only behind England's Joe Root (573 runs from 9 ODIs) and Gill (671 runs from 9 ODI innings).