Kohli 139* steers India to series-opening win in Thiruvananthapuram

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls to take India to victory in the series opener against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday night. His innings included nine sixes and ten fours and completed the chase with a six.

Kohli reached his fifty with a six, reached his hundred with a six, and finished the match with a six. The knock was his 55th ODI century. He became the first batter after Sachin Tendulkar to make 15,000 ODI runs, taking his tally to 15,080.

Those 15,080 runs sit alongside an ODI average of 59.13 and a strike-rate of 94.30; Kohli has 55 centuries and 79 fifties in the format. The target in the match was described in the source as not large by modern standards, with bowling that was not threatening and a track that was not treacherous.

The innings was played with clear intent: Kohli hit nine sixes in the 88-ball unbeaten 139 and ten fours. His ability to accelerate under pressure was noted in the coverage, recalling an earlier example when he struck an extraordinary six off Haris Rauf in India’s T20 World Cup match against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2022.

The report observed that Kohli’s statistics do not capture his fierce determination and drive while chasing, or his devotion to fitness and continual desire to improve. It added that this combination contributes to his sustained excellence in ODI batting.

Recent changes to his approach were also mentioned: Kohli has been batting with more aggression, looking to dominate from the start. After powering India to victory with 50 balls to spare, he spoke of how he has been working to unlock a new version of himself, to up the ante, and how it has helped him play with a free mind.

The piece concluded by noting why a player of A.B. de Villiers’ talent called Kohli ODI cricket’s greatest batter. Kohli’s unbeaten 139 secured the series opener for India against the West Indies.