India completed the second successful 400‑plus run‑chase in One‑Day International history on Wednesday, dispatching a target of 406 with eight wickets in hand. Opening batsman Shubman Gill anchored the innings with an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls, the highest individual total ever recorded in a successful chase and the fastest double century in ODI cricket. His effort, combined with Rohit Sharma’s 101, propelled India to 406‑2 in 43.3 overs, sealing a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series against the West Indies.
Opening partnership sets the platform
The foundation of the chase was laid by a 255‑run opening stand that lasted 158 balls. Gill and Sharma combined for a partnership that ranks as the second‑highest opening stand for India in ODIs, trailing only the 258‑run opening partnership of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in 2001. Sharma, on his 35th ODI century, reached 101 off 72 balls before being dismissed lbw by West Indian pacer Jayden Seales in the 27th over. Gill, meanwhile, continued to accelerate after Sharma’s departure, reaching his second fifty in just 24 deliveries and converting his innings into a double century off 117 balls – a pace unmatched in the format.
Gill’s 223 not only eclipsed the previous record for the highest individual score in a run‑chase, which stood at 201 by Glenn Maxwell against Afghanistan in 2023, but also placed him third on the all‑time list of highest ODI scores. His century came off 62 balls, underscoring the relentless tempo of the innings. When asked about the conditions, Gill said, “It was a hot and humid day. With 400 on the board, there was pressure at the start and then at the halfway mark. I am very pleased I could stay till the end and finish this innings. I try to break my innings into smaller parts. Once we scored 200‑odd before 25 overs, the pressure was on them.”
West Indies’ historic batting display
West Indies posted a formidable 405‑7, crossing the 400‑run threshold for the first time in ODI history. Their total was built around three centuries – a rarity in the sport. Opener John Campbell set the tone with a rapid 101 off 68 balls, hitting five sixes and nine fours before being dismissed. He partnered with captain Shai Hope, who added 104, his 20th ODI hundred, to the scoreboard. Their stand of 110 runs came off 79 balls, taking the visitors to 96‑1 in the powerplay.
Middle‑order batsman Amir Jangoo, who had made a half‑century in the first ODI, followed with a 114‑run knock off 70 balls, striking three sixes and 13 fours. The trio of centuries marked the first instance of five individual centuries being scored in a single ODI match. While five centuries in one game had occurred before, this was the inaugural occasion where a side with three centuries still fell short of victory. Overall, it was the 11th time a team had recorded three individual centuries in an ODI, but the first time the effort ended in defeat.
Records rewritten and series outlook
India’s successful chase eclipsed its previous best of 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, establishing a new benchmark for the nation. The feat also placed the chase second only to South Africa’s 438‑9 against Australia in 2006, the only other 400‑plus chase in ODI annals. Gill’s double hundred, achieved in 117 balls, set a new record for the fastest double century in the format, surpassing the prior mark held by former Australian captain Aaron Finch.
The series, now at 2‑0 in India’s favour, began with a seven‑wicket victory for the hosts in Thiruvananthapuram. The final ODI is scheduled to be played in Chandigarh on Saturday, where India will look to complete a clean sweep. The performances on Wednesday not only reshaped record books but also highlighted the depth of India’s batting line‑up and the growing potency of West Indies’ top order, despite the loss.
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