Sept 27 (Reuters) - Virat Kohli became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone with an unbeaten century as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening one-day international on Sunday.
Kohli struck 139 not out from 88 balls and Shubman Gill made 110 as India chased down 296 with 50 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
"I got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and play a gear to higher end, that was exciting for me to work on," Kohli said after the match in Thiruvananthapuram.
"It excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help, you know, anything that you play for, be it playing for India or in the IPL. It's really helped me a lot to play with a free mind and I think that is what is working for me."
Rohit Sharma and Gill launched the chase with a 74-run opening stand before Sharma was dismissed in the 12th over. Gill, the world's top-ranked ODI batter, then took control, maintaining the aggressive approach and bringing up his 10th ODI century with a sweep.
Kohli came in at number three and notched up his 86th international century, while Gill struck 110 from 108 deliveries as the pair put on a dominant 151-run stand off 132 balls that all but sealed the contest.
Roston Chase eventually removed Gill but Ruturaj Gaikwad made 13 off 19 balls and helped Kohli to steer India home without further alarm. Kohli sealed victory with successive boundaries.
Put in to bat, Justin Greaves and John Campbell gave West Indies a strong start, adding 135 from 117 balls for the opening wicket.
India struggled to find a breakthrough for much of the first 20 overs as the pair dominated the bowling and provided a solid platform.
Greaves, who was dropped by Sharma on 16, made India pay with a maiden ODI century and top-scored for the visitors.
The momentum shifted when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Campbell in the 20th over, beating him in the air as he swept a catch to short fine leg. Yadavand Prasidh Krishna then applied the brakes asWest Indies lost four wickets for 22 runs between the 31st and 36th overs.
Yadavfinished with 4-40 on his ODI return but Amir Jangoo counter-attacked with 58 off 43 balls. With support from Chase, he helped West Indies to recover from 198-5 and post 295.
(Reporting by Paras Haji and Suramya Kaushik andin BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis and Clare Fallon)
