Gill and Kohli power India as WI post 295 in Trivandrum

The ballpark scene in Trivandrum shines as Gill reaches 110 and Kohli 101 during India's chase of 296, while West Indies had posted 295 for seven. Gill's 110 came in 108 balls and Kohli's 101 in 75, building a stand that kept India in the hunt¹³. Kuldeep Yadav struck four times, erasing a big Windies start and leaving India with a platform to push back¹⁶.

The Windies innings rode on Justin Greaves 101 and a 135-run opening stand with John Campbell to set a challenging total, later reduced by Kuldeep's control in the middle overs^3,16,14. Kohli continued his long run of big knocks, while Gill's century anchored the chase and underscored India's planning for 2027 World Cup season²⁷. The match unfolds as a test of India’s depth and Windies’ willingness to fight on Indian soil, with India scheduled to tour Guwahati next to complete the three-match set^18,13.

In Trivandrum, the ground buzzed as India’s top order answered the early pressure with a measured tempo, as Gill and Kohli paced a chase that demanded both restraint and acceleration, matching the rhythm of a game where every boundary shifted the momentum. Gill, coming off a string of notable innings, found fluency against a Windies attack that briefly threatened to seize the initiative, while Kohli, maintaining a consistent run of big scores, kept the chase on course with gentle singles and crisp strikes that kept India in touching distance of the target.

Kuldeep’s four-wicket haul, complemented by sharp fielding and pivotal overs in the middle, stemmed the visitors’ momentum and handed India a strategic edge as the late overs approached, inviting a precise finish. The Windies’ captaincy and composure under pressure were tested by the continuous pressure from India’s depth, and the narrative remained focused on how India would leverage the upcoming Guwahati encounter to seal the series, with a sense that the balance of confidence and form had tilted slightly toward the home team in this green-tinged venue.