Team India made a commanding start to their ODI series against West Indies, securing a convincing eight-wicket victory in the opening game at Thiruvananthapuram. While Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill dominated the chase with centuries, Kuldeep Yadav‘s influential spell earlier in the game played a major role in restricting the visitors. Following the match, Congress leader and cricket enthusiast Shashi Tharoor highlighted both performances while explaining why he felt the left-arm wrist-spinner deserved special recognition.
Shashi Tharoor singles out Kuldeep Yadav for match-winning spell
Speaking to ANI after the game, Tharoor pointed towards Kuldeep’s ability to make an impact despite conditions that offered little assistance to the bowlers. The spinner finished with figures of 4/40, helping India prevent West Indies from building a bigger total after they had made a strong start.
Tharoor particularly praised Kuldeep’s control over his line and flight, suggesting that his accuracy and variations were crucial in slowing down the West Indies batting unit.
“I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. I think that Kuldeep bowled very well, and he’s the man of the match for me because there’s nothing in the wicket for the bowlers,” Tharoor said.
The Indian spinner’s spell came at an important stage of the innings as West Indies looked to build momentum. His four wickets helped India keep the visitors to 295/7, leaving their batters with a manageable target to chase.
Tharoor highights Virat Kohli’s dominant run
While Kuldeep impressed with the ball, Kohli produced another standout performance with the bat. Chasing 296, the experienced batter remained unbeaten on 139 from 88 deliveries, taking the attack to the West Indies bowlers throughout his innings.
Kohli smashed 10 fours and nine sixes, reaching his 55th ODI century in the process. His innings also helped him cross the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket, making him only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the landmark.
Tharoor was equally impressed by Kohli’s approach during the chase and described the former India captain as being in a particularly dominant mood.
“I think that Virat is in a really dominant mood, rightly so. And his innings was worth watching,” he added.
India complete comfortable chase in Thiruvananthapuram
West Indies’ 295/7 was built around Justin Greaves’ maiden ODI century, while John Campbell also contributed a half-century. However, Kuldeep’s intervention prevented the hosts from pushing the total significantly higher. India responded strongly, with Gill scoring a fluent 110 before his dismissal. Gill and Kohli shared a 151-run partnership that put India firmly in control of the chase.
Kohli eventually finished the match unbeaten as India reached the target in 41.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. The result gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, while Kuldeep’s four-wicket haul and Kohli’s spectacular century emerged as the defining individual performances of the opening ODI.
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