Kuldeep reels West Indies in, Gill and Kohli tons knock them out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — While bilateral ODI cricket faces a fight for survival globally amidst financial strains and domestic league cancellations, India and West Indies served up a thrilling reminder of the format's enduring magic. A festive full house in Thiruvananthapuram was treated to masterclasses by Virat Kohli and captain Shubman Gill, as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory, overhauling a target of 295 with more than eight overs to spare. Kuldeep's Masterclass Triggers Windies Collapse The foundation for India's dominant start to their home international season was laid earlier in the day by Kuldeep Yadav. Playing on his ODI comeback, the left-arm wrist-spinner delivered a mesmerising spell of 4 for 40, engineering a dramatic middle-overs collapse. West Indies had initially threatened to post a mammoth total, riding on a brilliant 135-run opening stand between Justin Greaves and John Campbell. Greaves played aggressively, driving fluently against India's new-ball attack and eventually bringing up a well-earned maiden ODI hundred (101). Campbell chipped in with 62 as the visitors dominated the first 25 overs. However, missing Jasprit Bumrah—currently representing India at the Asian Games in Japan—and with Mohammed Siraj searching for his rhythm, India needed a spark. Kuldeep provided it in style. Introduced into the attack, he broke the opening stand by dismissing Campbell. He then dismantled the middle order, removing Shai Hope, trapping a cramping Greaves lbw with a delivery that straightened on top of off-stump, and accounting for the teenager Jewel Andrew. From a comfortable 176 for 1, West Indies slipped to 198 for 5. A late counter-attacking 58 off 43 balls from Amir Jangoo pushed the total to a competitive 295 for 7, but it would prove well short against India's batting juggernaut. Centuries for the Ages: Kohli and Gill Take Center Stage Chasing 295 under the lights during the festive season is territory where Indian batting royalty thrives. Shubman Gill continued his golden run of form, notching up his 10th ODI hundred in just his 67th innings—the third-fastest player to reach the milestone. Batting with supreme efficiency and calm authority, Gill finished unbeaten on 110, maintaining his incredible consistency of passing fifty in seven of his last nine innings this year. At the other end, Virat Kohli turned back the clock while unlocking entirely new gears in his batting. Kohli brought up his 55th ODI hundred—celebrating the milestone with a massive six for the first time in his career—and surpassed 15,000 career ODI runs. Leveling with Sachin Tendulkar on 60 List A hundreds, Kohli finished unbeaten on a scintillating 139 off just a handful of deliveries, punctuated by a career-high nine sixes. Kohli's assault on Alzarri Joseph—extracting 53 runs off just 26 balls against the fast bowler—exemplified a master at the absolute peak of his powers, finding fresh ways to dominate rather than merely protecting his legacy. With Gill anchoring and accumulating smoothly, and Kohli accelerating with breathtaking power, India wrapped up the chase at 300 for 2 in 41.4 overs, securing a comprehensive 1-0 lead in the series and giving the packed stadium a night to remember.