Thiruvananthapuram, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India captain Shubman Gill said the best way to get the most out of Virat Kohli is to give the veteran batter the freedom to play his natural game after Kohli’s unbeaten 139 powered India to an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 296, India reached the target with 50 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gill also made 110 and shared a 151-run partnership with Kohli, who crossed 15,000 ODI runs during his match-winning innings.
“Someone like him, who’s won so many games for India, you let him be and on the day he will win the matches for you,” Gill said at the post-match presentation.
Gill praised Kohli’s current approach, saying the batter appeared to be enjoying his cricket more and playing with greater freedom. He also acknowledged that he himself would have preferred to finish the chase after being dismissed.
India were tested early after West Indies openers Justin Greaves and John Campbell put together 135 runs. Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav then changed the momentum with figures of 4-40.
“Someone like Kuldeep, especially in the middle overs if he is bowling well, he is a wicket-taker. We were on the backfoot with their opening partnership, he got us back in the game,” Gill said.
Gill added that India would like to develop greater batting depth, including an eighth option capable of contributing 20-30 runs, and said the team remained open to trying different combinations.
West Indies captain Shai Hope felt his side fell short after a strong start. He estimated they were 60-80 runs short and said the team lost momentum in the middle overs.
Hope also pointed to missed opportunities in the field, including dropped catches of Gill on 11 and Kohli on 125.
Greaves, who scored his maiden ODI century, did not take the field during India’s chase because of an injury concern. Hope said the team would assess the opener’s condition.
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