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Virat Kohli produced another memorable ODI innings against West Indies, scoring his 55th century in the format and helping India post a commanding total in the first ODI. His knock also saw him become only the second batter to cross 15,000 runs in ODI cricket.
Kohli's innings once drew admiration from his teammates, with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna describing the veteran batter's performance as unbelievable. Krishna also played an important role with the ball, taking two wickets as India began the series with a strong performance.
Prasidh Krishna in awe of Virat Kohli's brilliance
Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 from 88 deliveries, striking at 157.95 with 10 fours and nine sixes. He added a crucial partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored 110, before taking India's total to 300 in just 41.4 overs.
The century was Kohli's 86th in international cricket and his 55th in ODIs. He has also built a remarkable record against West Indies, with the latest century taking his tally against them to 10 in the format. Kohli is now level with his own record of 10 ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, while Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar have nine each against Australia.
Virat Kohli's international centuries have also been spread across the week, although Sunday has produced the highest number. He has scored 27 of his international hundreds on Sundays, followed by 15 on Thursdays, 12 on Wednesdays, 11 on Saturdays, nine on Fridays, seven on Tuesdays and five on Mondays.
Speaking after the game, Prasidh Krishna admitted that even the Indian players watching from the sidelines were left impressed by the way Kohli was striking the ball.
"It was unbelievable. Sitting outside we were thinking, what do we bowl to him at that moment? He was striking the ball really, really well. All of us have grown up watching Virat Kohli and to see him do what he did today was unbelievable. I think all of us were excited about it," Prasidh Krishna said about Kohli's innings.
Every single session we go in, we are looking to improve at something - Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna also contributed with the ball as India restricted West Indies to 295/7. The pacer finished with figures of 2/60 from 10 overs, dismissing Keacy Carty and Roston Chase during the West Indies innings.
He said the team's preparation and communication have helped him approach different challenges with greater clarity.
"Every single session we go in, we are looking to improve at something. And every game as well poses a different kind of a challenge. When you come in knowing what exactly has to be done, there is clarity within the team, there is clarity in me as to what I do when I come in, there is enough communication going on. So all of those things accumulate and help me bowl well," Prasidh Krishna said.
Yeah, we are seeing a lot of fast bowlers coming in - Prasidh Krishna on competition among India pacers
India have several fast-bowling options competing for places ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Talking about this, Prasidh Krishna said that the competition helps everyone push each other. He stated:
"It's great. Yeah, we are seeing a lot of fast bowlers coming in. And it's really good for the Indian cricket team, honestly. You keep pushing each other. And every time we go into nets, we know the kind of bowlers that we're bowling amongst.
"And, yeah, that really helps. You're always communicating with each other, trying to push each other to do better. And I would say Indian cricket, in terms of fast bowling, is in pretty good hands."
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