"I should have finished it": Gill reflects on his 110 as Kohli, Kuldeep power India to victory
Shubman Gill reflects on his century as he and Virat Kohli lead India to a dominant eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI.
Indian captain Shubman Gill expressed a sense of missed opportunity after his fluent century, admitting he felt he should have seen the chase through to the end. Despite the slight regret over his dismissal, Gill was immensely satisfied with his performance in India's commanding eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.
The victory, which gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, was built on a foundation of brilliant individual performances. While Gill's 110 off 108 balls provided the momentum, it was Virat Kohli's sensational, unbeaten 139 off 88 balls that truly dismantled the opposition. Kohli's lightning-fast strike rate of 153.40, featuring 11 fours and seven sixes, turned the game decisively in India's favor.
Kuldeep Yadav turns the tide
While the batters dominated the chase of 296, the match was kept alive by the bowling masterclass of Kuldeep Yadav. With India facing pressure during the West Indies innings, Yadav stepped up to claim four crucial wickets, effectively turning the game around. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Reflecting on the game, Gill praised the spinner's ability to impact the match, stating, "Someone like him, if he's bowling, he's a wicket-taker. We were on the back foot, he got us back in the game and got us crucial wickets."
Kuldeep, for his part, admitted that receiving the award felt a bit awkward given the massive batting performances from his teammates. "I actually loved the batting from Shubman and Virat bhai. I was very calm and just bowled whatever I felt like bowling," Kuldeep said, noting that the performance helps him regain confidence and rhythm.
Kohli's freedom and India's tactical shifts
The Indian skipper also took a moment to laud the veteran Virat Kohli, noting that the legendary batter is playing with a renewed sense of freedom. Gill observed that Kohli's ability to clear the boundary has become a major weapon, a luxury he has earned through years of winning matches for the country.
Looking ahead, Gill hinted at potential tactical experiments within the squad. He mentioned that the team management is looking to develop an eighth batting option—someone capable of contributing approximately 25 runs—to add depth to the lineup. "We are open to trying different combinations," Gill added.
India's clinical chase saw them reach 300/2 in just 41.4 overs, with Ruturaj Gaikwad remaining unbeaten at the other end to seal the win.