Virat Kohli produced one of his greatest ODI innings at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on September 27, 2026, scoring 139 not out off 88 balls to guide India to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first ODI of the series. His knock contained 10 fours and nine sixes as India completed their 296-run chase, finishing on 300-2 in 41.4 overs.
Kevin Pietersen, who was recently appointed as the specialist mentor in England's white-ball setup, praised Kohli for his exemplary
knock. The former England cricketer said that many players have successful careers while only playing 55 matches, and then there is Kohli, who has notched up 55 centuries in just one format of the game.
"55 ODI 100s for Virat!!!! 55?!?!?!?! Many cricketers have good careers by just playing 55 games. He Is A Genius and I'm buzzing for him!" Pietersen wrote on his official 'X' handle.
The post reflected the widespread sense that Kohli had achieved something beyond ordinary statistical milestones.
Kohli's innings in Thiruvananthapuram
Kohli reached three figures off just 74 balls, the third-fastest ODI hundred of his career. He brought up the milestone by dancing down the track to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and lofting a flighted delivery over long-on for a six. It was his 55th ODI century, extending his all-time record at the top of the ODI centuries list.
The innings also carried a separate landmark. Kohli surpassed 15,000 ODI career runs during the knock, becoming only the second batter in history after Sachin Tendulkar to reach that mark. Tendulkar finished his ODI career with 18,426 runs. Kohli reached the milestone in his 303rd ODI innings.
India's series context after the first ODI
His previous century, the 54th, came on January 18, 2026, against New Zealand in the third ODI at Holkar Stadium, Indore, where he reached three figures off 91 balls. Kohli made his ODI debut on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka and is now 37 years old, having been born on November 5, 1988.
At this stage of his international career, he plays only ODIs, with his last Test appearance coming on January 3, 2025, against Australia, and his last T20I on June 29, 2024, against South Africa.
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India were captained by Shubman Gill in Thiruvananthapuram, while West Indies were led by Shai Hope. West Indies batter Justin Greaves scored a century of his own in the match, though it was not enough to prevent defeat. The result gave India a 1-0 lead in the series with two games left to play.
