Captain Shai Hope produced an extraordinary display of skill, resilience, and tactical mastery, scoring an unbeaten 162 to lead the West Indies to a record-breaking run-chase victory over India in the third and final one-day international in Chandigarh.
The West Indies achieved their highest-ever ODI run chase on Saturday, overhauling a formidable target of 351 to win by five wickets with 10 balls to spare. They finished on 352-5, successfully countering an Indian total built around Lokesh Rahul’s brilliant 129 not out.
Although India had already secured the three-match series following convincing eight-wicket victories in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati, the dramatic finale in Chandigarh belonged entirely to the visitors. Playing their first run chase of the series, the West Indies recorded their first victory against India in the format since 2023, leaving a capacity crowd stunned by the sheer scale of the turnaround.
The magnitude of Hope’s achievement was amplified by the physical adversity he faced throughout the grueling contest. Having kept wicket through all 50 overs of India’s innings in oppressive, high-humidity conditions, Hope was forced into a late tactical reshuffle at the top of the order. Regular opening partner Jewel Andrew suffered a finger injury while taking a catch and had to be sent to the hospital, prompting Hope to promote himself to the opening position.
Despite battling severe physical discomfort and fatigue during the closing stages of his innings—notably struggling with pain around his groin area—Hope stood his ground. In a fitting end to a marathon performance, it was the captain who struck the winning run, anchoring his side through nearly the entirety of their innings.
Reflecting on his physical struggles after the match, Hope acknowledged the severity of the strain he was under. He noted that he felt something amiss around the groin area but was determined to fight through the pain barrier until the job was finished.
His magnificent knock, his second successive century of the series, yielded 162 runs from 143 deliveries and was studded with 17 boundaries and three towering sixes. It marked his second-highest score in one-day international cricket, his 21st career ODI century, and his fifth against India. He received crucial support from Amir Jangoo, who contributed a fluent 67 off 56 balls, and Keemo Paul, who added a brisk 44 off 35 deliveries.
Highlighting the favorable conditions for chasing under the evening lights, Hope pointed out that batting becomes considerably easier in India as the match progresses, particularly with the arrival of heavy dew. Expressing his relief and satisfaction, the skipper stated that he was simply glad his team managed to get over the line.
A Measured Response to a Formidable Target
India’s formidable total of 351-7 was constructed after they once again won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the hosts suffered an immediate collapse at the top of the order. Skipper Shubman Gill was caught behind for just 1 run, and premier batsman Virat Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck, with both prized wickets falling to the lively bowling of Jayden Seales.
The early blows left India reeling at 28 runs after the first 10 overs. It required a measured and determined recovery from Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul to rescue the innings and propel the hosts toward a commanding total.
Sharma anchored the rebuilding operation with a patient 92 off 85 balls, sharing a crucial 137-run partnership for the third wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Sharma appeared well on his way to securing a second consecutive century in the series before he was unfortunately caught off the bowling of Paul in the 25th over.
Gaikwad continued to anchor the middle order, contributing 57 runs from 69 balls before becoming Seales’s third victim four overs later. That breakthrough paved the way for Rahul to seize control of the innings and accelerate the scoring rate in the latter stages.
Rahul delivered a masterclass in clean hitting, smashing six sixes and 10 boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 129 from just 87 deliveries. He reached his first fifty in 41 balls and accelerated further to bring up his second fifty in just 39 deliveries. Benefiting from productive partnerships with Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar, Rahul single-handedly ensured that India posted an imposing target that would demand a record-breaking effort from the visitors.
Hope and Jangoo Lay the Foundation
Facing a daunting required run rate, the West Indies needed a stable start, and Hope provided precisely that alongside Jangoo. The pair constructed a vital 109-run partnership off 99 balls for the second wicket, successfully blunting an Indian bowling attack that had recalled veteran fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and all-rounder Nitish Reddy, while also handing a debut to pace bowler Anshul Kamboj, who finished the match wicketless.
Jangoo looked in prime touch before he was run out in the 21st over, but his dismissal did little to stem the scoring momentum. Sherfane Rutherford entered the fray and played a brisk knock of 24 runs, contributing to a 56-run stand with his captain. During this phase, Hope quietly reached his half-century in 46 balls before accelerating smoothly to bring up his hundred in 104 deliveries.
As the innings entered the final ten overs, Paul joined his captain at the crease and injected fresh momentum into the chase. Paul’s aggressive cameo featured five boundaries and formed a vital 65-run partnership off 61 balls with Hope. Even after Paul was dismissed in the 41st over, caught off the bowling of Brar, Hope refused to let the intensity drop.
Having reached his milestone, Hope shifted into a higher gear, taking a heavy toll on the tired Indian bowling attack. He struck an additional seven fours and two sixes, ruthlessly accumulating 62 runs from the final 39 balls he faced to rush the West Indies toward their historic victory.
India’s bowling effort was further hampered during the death overs when they were penalized for a slow over rate. Forced to keep an additional fielder inside the 30-yard circle for the final four overs, the hosts struggled to contain Hope and Gudakesh Motie. The pair punished the restriction by adding an unbroken 62 runs off just 29 balls for the sixth wicket, ensuring that the target was chased down with time to spare.
With the conclusion of the high-scoring one-day international series, both teams will now turn their attention to the shortest format of the game. The action moves swiftly to Uttar Pradesh, where the two sides are scheduled to begin a five-match Twenty20 international series starting on Tuesday in Lucknow.