India produced a commanding performance against the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium, with a veteran batter once again taking centre stage in the 50-over format. Virat Kohli marked his return to ODI cricket with a remarkable unbeaten 139 off just 88 deliveries, steering India to an emphatic eight-wicket victory. The innings was significant not only for its impact on the match but also because it brought several major career milestones for the Indian star.
Virat Kohli delivers another ODI masterclass
Kohli walked out with expectations high and responded with an aggressive innings that combined control with attacking intent. Rather than allowing the pressure surrounding his return to affect his approach, the 37-year-old took charge and kept the scoreboard moving throughout his stay at the crease.
His century arrived in emphatic fashion, with Kohli reaching three figures by sending the ball over the boundary for a six. He continued his assault after completing the landmark, eventually finishing unbeaten on 139 from only 88 balls.
The knock proved decisive as India completed an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies. Kohli’s ability to remain at the crease until the chase was completed also ensured that his innings carried the added value of taking India comfortably over the line. More importantly, the century became the 55th ODI hundred of his career, adding another landmark to an already remarkable record in the format.
15,000 ODI runs and more records follow
Kohli’s innings was also historic from a statistical perspective. During his unbeaten 139, he crossed the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket, becoming only the second batter in history to reach the milestone. He achieved the feat in his 303rd innings, making him the fastest batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs. The previous benchmark had belonged to Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the same landmark in 377 innings.
The West Indies game also added another entry to Kohli’s List A record. His century was his 60th in List A cricket, bringing him level with Tendulkar for the most hundreds in the history of the format. There was another significant achievement on home soil. Kohli’s century was his 42nd international hundred in India, extending his record for the most international centuries scored by a batter in a single country.
Cricket fraternity reacts to Kohli’s historic knock
The scale of Kohli’s performance prompted reactions from several prominent names and personalities associated with cricket and beyond. Ex-Indian cricketers Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, former Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews were among those to react to the landmark performance on social media. The reactions reflected the significance of an innings that combined match-winning impact with multiple career milestones.
Here’s how the cricket fraternity reacted:
Cometh the hour, cometh the King 👑
A spectacular century from Virat Kohli in absolute style 💯
ODI century no.5⃣5⃣ for the chase master 🫡
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/O2cs86p4gq#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_ | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/tJOeopio5o
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 27, 2026
What a champion! 💯🔥
Another masterclass from @imVkohli! 55 ODI centuries, 15,000 ODI runs and still hungry for more. Your passion, dedication and hunger to win continue to inspire millions. Keep making India proud, brother! 🇮🇳❤️🏏#KingKohli #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/aXpYrhcsQS— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 27, 2026
Virat Kohli is a cricketing phenomenon without parallel. Fifteen thousand runs in just one format of the game is truly incredible. With his commitment and fitness levels, may he continue to rise. Best wishes and Blessings. -Sg @imVkohli https://t.co/zEFAMYSMoy
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) September 28, 2026
The finest ODI batsman ever, at it again! The fitness, hunger and appetite for runs of Virat @imVkohli are simply extraordinary. He isn’t just ageing like fine wine — he’s bought the vineyard, owns the grapes and is still making the best vintage! 🍷🏏 #Virat
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 27, 2026
Congratulations my friend @imVkohli on reaching 15k ! Keep going strong
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) September 28, 2026
Another century, another special innings from @imVkohli
A captain’s century from @ShubmanGill and a brilliant 4 wicket haul from @imkuldeep18 made it a memorable outing for Team India.
A superb all-round performance to win the first ODI against West Indies. Well played, Team… pic.twitter.com/FvmjRNUSIS
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) September 27, 2026
Virat Retired too early from Test and t20… Only genuine all format player India had in last 15years…i would say ever unless some
New player comes arrnd and plays all format as good as Virat does @imVkohli— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) September 27, 2026
15000 ODI runs: That’s an air of rarified greatness. Congrats to Virat Kohli.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) September 27, 2026
Virat Kohli Ka Daur Kal bhi tha, Aaj bhi hai
💯 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 27, 2026
With the very best artistes, when you think you have seen it all, they show you another dimension to their greatness. Kohli did that tonight
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 27, 2026
15k odi runs for the King. his last 11 odi scores are 74 n.o 135, 102, 65 n.o 93, 23, 124, 5, 65, 74, 139 n.o in this game. At the age of 37 he has been in the form of his life. Virat Kohli, what a player.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 27, 2026
From the first ball he faced you knew he won’t settle for anything less than his 55th ODI century tonight. Banda hai waise kamaal ka Virat Kohli.
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 27, 2026
86
Woww
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 28, 2026
The Chase Master is at work 👏
ODI century no. 5️⃣5️⃣ for Virat Kohli 💯
Follow the match ➡️ https://t.co/h38gxQF3rE | 📸: @BCCI pic.twitter.com/kOygsha3n2
— ICC (@ICC) September 27, 2026
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