India clobbered West Indies by eight wickets in Thiruvananthapuram, as Virat Kohli stroked a blistering 139* to reach his 55th ODI century.
The 296‑run target seemed a mere formality until Rohit Sharma was skittled for 32. From there, Kohli and Shubman Gill launched a 151‑run partnership, the fifth century stand of the series, swinging the game decisively.
Gill’s 110 was a masterpiece of timing, while Kohli’s 139* was built on a mix of pacings and elegant pulls. Their run‑rate spiked from 5.8 to 7.4 in the 18th over, and the scoreboard lit up with 15 boundaries in a single over.
Kohli highlighted the banter on the crease, saying the relaxed vibe under Gill’s captaincy keeps the dressing room “warm and healthy.” The laughter between the pair echoed the on‑field chemistry that fuels India’s World Cup ambitions.
The innings also etched a new milestone: Kohli became the fastest to 15,000 ODI runs in just 303 innings, eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar’s 377‑innings record. His 55th century underlines a career built on team success rather than personal glory.
With the West Indies chase over, India now turns its sights to the upcoming England series, a high‑stakes test before the 2026 World Cup.