๐ Table of Contents
- Virat Kohli Scores 139 Not Out Against West Indies
- Kohli and Shubman Gill Put India in Command
- 55th ODI Century for Virat Kohli
- Virat Kohli Completes 15,000 ODI Runs
- Kohli's Record in Successful ODI Chases
- Nine Sixes in a Stunning Display of Aggression
- Kohli Equals More Records Against West Indies
- India Start West Indies Series With an Eight-Wicket Win
- Why Virat Kohli's Century Matters
- Conclusion
Virat Kohli Century, Virat once again showed why he remains one of the most dependable batters in One-Day International cricket, producing a spectacular 139 not out against West Indies in the first ODI of the India vs West Indies 2026 series. The former India captain delivered a breathtaking batting display at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, helping India chase down a target of 296 with eight wickets in hand.
Virat Kohli ODI century was not just another hundred in an extraordinary international career. It was a landmark innings filled with records. The right-handed batter reached his 55th ODI century, completed 15,000 ODI runs, and registered his 10th ODI century against West Indies.
India eventually reached 300/2 in just 41.4 overs, winning the opening match by eight wickets and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Virat Kohli Scores 139 Not Out Against West Indies
West Indies posted an imposing 295/7 after being asked to bat first. Justin Greaves produced an excellent century for the visitors, giving West Indies a strong platform.
India’s chase initially looked controlled rather than explosive. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma provided a solid start before Gill joined Kohli in the middle.
Once Kohli settled in, however, the innings changed completely.
The veteran batter scored 139 not out from only 88 balls, combining classical strokeplay with aggressive hitting. He smashed 10 fours and nine sixes, finishing with a strike rate of more than 157.
Kohli reached his century from 74 balls, making it his third-fastest ODI hundred. His fastest remains the 52-ball century against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, followed by his 61-ball hundred against Australia in Nagpur in the same year.
His unbeaten 139 ensured that India never lost control of the chase.
Kohli and Shubman Gill Put India in Command
Virat Kohli Century was complemented by an outstanding hundred from India’s captain Shubman Gill.
Gill scored 110 runs from 108 deliveries, and the pair produced a crucial 151-run partnership. Their stand effectively removed any possibility of a West Indies comeback.
Gill’s innings provided stability while Kohli accelerated at the other end.
The difference in their approaches made the partnership particularly effective. Gill built his innings patiently, while Kohli increasingly attacked the bowling as India’s required run rate remained manageable.
When Kohli reached three figures, India were firmly in control.
The final result was emphatic: India 300/2 in 41.4 overs defeated West Indies 295/7 by eight wickets.
55th ODI Century for Virat Kohli
The most obvious milestone from Kohli’s innings was his 55th ODI century.
That extended his record for the most ODI hundreds by a batter, moving him further ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 ODI centuries.
Kohli’s latest hundred also underlined the remarkable consistency of his ODI career. Even after moving away from Test cricket, he continues to produce significant performances in the 50-over format.
His 139 against West Indies was his 10th ODI century against the West Indies, matching his tally of 10 ODI centuries against Sri Lanka.
That puts West Indies among the opponents against whom Kohli has been most prolific during his ODI career.
Virat Kohli Completes 15,000 ODI Runs
Virat Kohli Century was also significant because of another enormous milestone.
During the innings, he became only the second batter in men’s ODI history to score 15,000 runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar in an exclusive club.
Kohli reached the milestone in his 303rd ODI innings, making him the fastest batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs.
His career ODI numbers have been built on a combination of consistency, average, and match-winning performances. Reaching 15,000 runs further strengthens his position among the greatest run-scorers in the history of the format.
For India, the milestone came at an important moment as the team continues preparing for future major ODI assignments.
Kohli’s Record in Successful ODI Chases
One of the defining features of Kohli’s ODI career has been his performances while chasing targets.
His unbeaten 139 against West Indies added another chapter to that record.
According to statistical analysis following the match, Kohli now has 25 ODI centuries in successful run chases, the most by any batter. His latest century also took his total ODI centuries while chasing to 30.
The numbers help explain why Kohli has earned a reputation as one of the most effective chase batters in international cricket.
Rather than simply accumulating runs, he has repeatedly converted successful chases into major individual scores. His unbeaten innings against West Indies followed exactly that pattern: India were chasing a substantial total, and Kohli remained at the crease until the target was completed.
Nine Sixes in a Stunning Display of Aggression
Another striking aspect of Kohli’s innings was the number of sixes.
He hit nine sixes, the highest number of sixes he has hit in an ODI innings.
For a batter traditionally associated with running hard between the wickets and finding gaps, the power displayed in Thiruvananthapuram was particularly noticeable.
Kohli initially took time to establish himself. He reached his fifty from 40 balls before accelerating dramatically.
Once he moved into the second half of his innings, the boundary-hitting became increasingly aggressive. The nine sixes helped him move from a controlled innings into a match-ending assault on the West Indies bowling attack.
His ability to change gears without losing his shape was one of the key reasons India completed the chase with plenty of overs remaining.
Kohli Equals More Records Against West Indies
Virat Kohli Century also produced several statistical milestones beyond his 55th ODI hundred and 15,000 ODI runs.
Kohli’s 10th ODI century against West Indies means he has now scored 10 ODI hundreds against both West Indies and Sri Lanka.
His overall international century tally against West Indies also reached 13, putting him level with Sunil Gavaskar for international centuries against the Caribbean side.
Kohli also reached 200 ODI sixes during the innings.
The performance therefore became much more than a routine match-winning century. Several major career milestones arrived during one innings.
India Start West Indies Series With an Eight-Wicket Win
The result gives India an early advantage in the three-match ODI series.
West Indies’ 295/7 was a competitive total, particularly after Justin Greaves produced a century. However, India’s batting response was powerful enough to make the target look significantly less intimidating.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided the early foundation before Gill and Kohli took control.
Gill’s 110 and Kohli’s unbeaten 139 meant India needed only 41.4 overs to reach 300.
The eight-wicket victory also gives India confidence heading into the remaining ODIs of the series.
Why Virat Kohli’s Century Matters
Kohli’s latest century is significant because it combines several different elements of his career.
First, there is the longevity. Reaching 15,000 ODI runs places him alongside Tendulkar as only the second player to achieve the milestone.
Second, there is the consistency. His 55th ODI century extends his lead in the all-time ODI century list.
Third, there is the match situation. Virat Kohli did not score a hundred in a losing cause. He remained unbeaten while India successfully chased 296.
Finally, there is the manner in which he scored. His 139 came from only 88 balls and included nine sixes, demonstrating an aggressive approach that produced a strike rate above 157.
That combination made the innings one of the most memorable recent performances of his ODI career.
Read More:ย Virat Kohli Net Worth 2026: Wealth, Earnings & Post-Retirement Life
Conclusion
Virat Kohli Century, Kohli’s 139 not out against West Indies was a performance packed with records, milestones and match-winning impact.
He reached his 55th ODI century, crossed 15,000 ODI runs, scored his 10th ODI hundred against West Indies and helped India chase 296 with eight wickets remaining. His nine sixes and 88-ball unbeaten innings also demonstrated a highly aggressive side of his ODI batting.
With Shubman Gill contributing an impressive 110, India produced a commanding response to West Indies’ 295/7 and took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series.
For cricket fans, the biggest takeaway is simple: Kohli continues to add extraordinary numbers to an already historic ODI career. His latest century against West Indies has added another memorable chapter to that story.
