Who was the first batsman to score a hundred in an India-West Indies ODI?
(18 November 2002)

The opening match of the 1979 Prudential Cup also happened to be first one-day international to pit India against the West Indies. The men from the Caribbean were the defending world champions and overwhelming favourites in the contest played in Birmingham, England. And soon enough, they were asserting their authority.

After Clive Lloyd won the toss and put India in, it was the turn of 'Whispering Death' Michael Holding to torment the Indians. The man, who was known as the Rolls Royce among fast bowlers, claimed four wickets as Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan's men were dismissed for 190.

It was a total that held little terror for the West Indies. With openers Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes in prime form they were soon cantering to victory. The famous duo put on 138 runs for the opening wicket, before Haynes fell for 47. Greenidge, though, stayed on to see his side to victory in the company of Viv Richards (28*). By that time, the English-born West Indies opener had reached 106 not out off 173 balls, a knock studded with nine fours and one thumping six. It was not only the first hundred of the 1979 World Cup but also the first hundred by a batsman in an India-West Indies one-day international. far.