Shai Hope kept wicket for 50 overs, opened the batting, and was still there at the end with a career-best 162 not out as West Indies chased down 352 to beat India by five wickets in New Chandigarh. It was their highest successful chase in ODI history and their first ODI win over India since 2023. India, who had already sealed the series, finished 2-1 winners.
New Chandigarh, India: Three days after West Indies scored 405 in Guwahati and still lost, they found a way to win. In the heat at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, India piled up 351 for 7 behind KL Rahul’s unbeaten 129. The West Indies captain then batted through 48.2 overs with a groin problem to overhaul it with ten balls to spare.
The dead rubber was supposed to be a chance for India to try out their bench. It turned into one of West Indies’ best days in 50-over cricket in years. The visitors won despite dropping at least six catches, and despite being a batter short after Roston Chase was left out for spinner Gudakesh Motie.
Seales Strikes, Rohit Rebuilds
India chose to bat and were in trouble almost at once. In the third over, Jayden Seales, West Indies’ best bowler of the series, struck with consecutive legal deliveries. Shubman Gill edged a back-of-a-length ball to Hope for 1, and Virat Kohli was bowled first ball, his middle stump flattened. India were 4 for 2.
Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad played carefully and India were only 28 for 2 after ten overs. Rohit then opened up against Alzarri Joseph, reached his 63rd ODI fifty, and put on 137 for the third wicket with Gaikwad. A hundred looked likely until he mistimed a pull off Keemo Paul and Jewel Andrew took a diving catch at deep midwicket. Rohit was out for 92 off 85. Seales came back to remove Gaikwad for 57 off 69 and complete his three-wicket haul.
Rahul Takes Over at the Death
From 160 for 4, Rahul ran the innings. Naman Dhir made a brisk 30 off 21 before Motie removed him in the 36th over. Rahul reached his fifty off 41 balls and then went after the attack in the final overs. He brought up his ninth ODI hundred by pulling a Seales short ball over fine leg for six. India took 22 off the last over to finish on 351 for 7. Rahul was unbeaten on 129 off 87, and Seales ended with 3 for 62.
Hope Holds the Chase Together
Mohammed Siraj, back in the side, knocked over John Campbell’s off stump for 10 in the fifth over. Hope and Amir Jangoo then added 109 off 99 balls. Jangoo reached his fifty off 47 balls before he was run out for 67 off 56 after a mix-up, with Kohli’s quick throw and Dhir completing the dismissal.
Sherfane Rutherford fell for 24 to Dhir after a review that left him unconvinced. Hope stayed calm. He reached his 21st ODI hundred in the 34th over, his second century in successive innings and his fifth against India. Keemo Paul’s 44 off 35 kept the chase on track until Gurnoor Brar had him caught in the deep. Kuldeep Yadav then removed Matthew Forde cheaply, and West Indies were 293 for 5 after 44 overs. They needed 56 off the last five.
The 22-Run Over That Settled It
India were behind on their over rate and had to keep an extra fielder inside the circle for the last four overs. Hope, hobbling by now, made the most of it. In the 48th over, debutant Anshul Kamboj missed his yorkers and conceded 22. Hope drove to his 150, and Motie hit a four and a six off the last two balls. That left seven needed from 12.
Hope pushed Dhir to long-off for the winning single. He finished on 162 not out off 143 balls, with 17 fours and three sixes, having scored 62 off his last 39 deliveries. It was his highest ODI score and the highest by a captain-keeper in the format. His unbroken stand of 62 off 29 balls with Motie, who made 19 not out, finished the game.
Afterwards Hope pointed to the conditions, saying: “It’s a lot easier when the dew comes out.” He also confirmed he had felt something in his groin and noted that his side had been a batter down.
Gill’s Warning After Series Win
India still won the series, and Gill was named Player of the Series for 334 runs in three matches. That included his 223 not out in Guwahati, the fastest double hundred in ODI history. Gill said he was happy with the total, but felt dew and the over-rate penalty at the end let West Indies take the game away. He was clear about what needs fixing: “Fielding needs to be top notch. Our death bowling as well needs fine tuning.”
Both sides now move on to the five-match T20I series.
Score: India 351/7 (50 overs; KL Rahul 129* off 87, Rohit Sharma 92 off 85, Ruturaj Gaikwad 57; Jayden Seales 3-62) lost to West Indies 352/5 (48.2 overs; Shai Hope 162* off 143, Amir Jangoo 67, Keemo Paul 44, Gudakesh Motie 19*) by five wickets
Player of the Match: Shai Hope (West Indies) — 162* off 143 balls and two catches
Player of the Series: Shubman Gill (India) — 334 runs
