Virat Kohli scores unbeaten 139 as India beat West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram first ODI
Virat Kohli returned to international cricket with an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls to power India to an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2026, as India chased 296 in 41.4 overs. The innings came two months after Kohli's last appearance for India.
Kohli's knock also marked his 55th ODI century and pushed him past 15,000 ODI runs. Having retired from Tests and T20Is, Kohli is now available only in the ODI format, and the 2027 ODI World Cup is already being viewed as the next major landmark in his international career; Kohli has said that tournament will be his last World Cup for India.
Reflecting on his approach after the match, Kohli said: “I've got a challenge at this stage of my career to up the ante and play a gear or two higher, and that was exciting for me to work on. Again, it excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help any team that you play for, be it India or in the IPL.”
Kohli combined measured control with pronounced aggression during the chase, striking 10 fours and nine sixes — the most he has hit in an ODI innings — and finishing with a strike rate of 157.95. His sustained attacking intent kept India's pursuit on course and the hosts completed the target with 50 balls to spare.
On the preparation behind that intent, Kohli said: “I think it's about understanding your game personally, especially at the stage that I'm at. It's about keeping myself physically very fit because the game is more or less in the mind.”
He added detail on his mental routine and playing template, saying: “I've never been a guy who practised a lot, even when I was playing all three formats, as you know. So, for me, it's about staying mentally fresh, staying in the present moment and just expressing myself out there. I want to play in a certain way and get used to this template more often.”
Kohli linked physical conditioning to his ability to play freely and execute under pressure, stating: “It's really helped me a lot to play with a free mind, and I think that's what's working for me. But I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body. For me, it works the other way around. I stay physically fit and then I'm able to visualise the game in the way that I want to play, which gives me the best chance to go out there and execute in the way that I did tonight.”
India now head to the second ODI on September 30 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati with the hosts aiming to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
