Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 27 -- Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill scored commanding centuries as India chased down West Indies' 296 for seven with eight wickets in hand in the first ODI here on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 off 138 balls, hitting 10 fours and nine sixes, while Gill struck 110 off 107 deliveries as the pair added 150 runs for the second wicket. India reached 300 for two in 41.4 overs.

The chase was set up by an opening stand of 75 between Gill and Rohit Sharma before Gill was dropped on 11, when substitute Keemo Paul failed to hold a chance off Jayden Seales. The India captain made the most of the reprieve, bringing up his 10th ODI century.

Gill reached his half-century from 49 balls and accelerated to his hundred with another 50 coming off just 47 deliveries. His innings was marked by crisp cuts and punches, while he also took on spinner Gudakesh Motie with a six and four.

Kohli, meanwhile, provided a familiar masterclass in an ODI chase. The 37-year-old combined aggressive running between the wickets with an increasingly adventurous strokeplay, particularly against the fast bowlers.

He brought up his fifty from 40 balls and continued to attack Alzarri Joseph, hitting three successive boundaries before launching another delivery down the ground for six.

Gill eventually fell to Roston Chase, attempting a slog sweep that was caught by Jewel Andrew in the deep. Kohli, however, continued uninterrupted and reached his century from 74 balls, completing the milestone with a six over mid-wicket off Motie.

The hundred was Kohli's 55th in ODIs and 86th in international cricket. He also became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to cross 15,000 runs in one-day internationals.

Earlier, West Indies appeared set for a substantial total after Justin Greaves and John Campbell added 135 runs for the opening wicket. Campbell made 62 from 60 balls, while Greaves scored 101, his maiden ODI century.

Kuldeep Yadav changed the course of the innings with an excellent spell, finishing with four wickets for 40 runs.

The left-arm spinner ended Campbell's innings after deceiving him with flight and line before inducing a miscued sweep that was caught by Prasidh Krishna at mid-on.

Kuldeep then dismissed West Indies captain Shai Hope before removing Greaves and Andrew in successive deliveries. Greaves was trapped leg before wicket after failing to connect with a sweep, while Andrew was beaten by a googly.

West Indies slipped from 176 for one to 198 for five, losing momentum at a crucial stage.

Amir Jangoo then provided late resistance, remaining unbeaten on 58. He added 48 with

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.