A packed stadium bore witness to a historic night of batting on Wednesday, with Shubman Gill anchoring India’s chase by remaining unbeaten on 223 runs from just 133 deliveries, propelling his side to an eight‑wicket victory over the West Indies in the second One Day International of the series. Gill’s innings was not only his personal best in ODIs but also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score ever recorded in a successful run‑chase. The innings marked his eleventh hundred in the 50‑over format, and it was one of five centuries compiled on the day as India posted a massive total of 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, taking a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series.
Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 101, and together the pair forged a 255‑run opening stand off 158 balls – the second‑largest opening partnership for India in ODI history. Their partnership laid the foundation for what would become the second successful 400‑plus chase in the annals of ODI cricket, following South Africa’s record 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. The West Indies, batting first, made history of their own by becoming the first side to register three individual centuries in a single ODI innings.
Amir Jangoo led the way with a commanding 114, captain Shai Hope added 104, and opening batsman John Campbell set an aggressive tone with a rapid 101 off just 68 balls. Their collective effort propelled the visitors to 405 for 7, a total that crossed the 400‑run threshold for the first time in ODI history.
Despite the imposing target, India began their chase with confidence. Gill, arriving at the crease after Sharma’s dismissal, accelerated the scoring rate and, with a blend of power hitting and measured stroke play, steered India to victory with 6.3 overs still remaining.
The chase of 406 runs eclipsed India’s previous highest successful chase of 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, establishing a new national record. Gill’s second fifty came off a blistering 24 balls, and he reached his century in just 62 deliveries, underscoring the ferocity of his attack. Sharma, who had already reached his own century in 72 balls, fell to an LBW by Jayden Seales in the 27th over, ending his innings on 101. The opening partnership of 255 runs now ranks second only to the 258‑run stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in Paarl in 2001.
After Sharma’s wicket fell, Gill continued his onslaught, eventually becoming the first player to score a double hundred in an ODI chase at a strike rate that made it the fastest double century in the format. His 223 not out also surpassed Glenn Maxwell’s 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai in 2023, taking the record for the highest individual score in a successful chase. In the broader context of ODI cricket, Gill’s innings sits as the third‑highest individual score ever recorded.
Reflecting on his performance, Gill described the conditions as "hot and humid" and emphasized his mental approach: "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." His methodical breakdown of the chase into manageable phases highlighted his composure under pressure. On the West Indian side, Campbell’s explosive start featured five sixes and nine fours, helping the team reach 96‑1 in the powerplay.
He later completed his second ODI hundred in just 65 balls, while his partner Hope added a 20th ODI century, both taking advantage of the batting‑friendly conditions. Jangoo, building on a half‑century from the first match, produced a second hundred off 70 balls, striking three sixes and 13 fours, and helped West Indies add a rapid 76 runs in the final ten overs.
The occurrence of five centuries in a single ODI was unprecedented, marking the 11th time a side has recorded three centuries in an innings, but the first instance that ended in defeat. Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday. India had already secured the opening match with a seven‑wicket win in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, completing a 2‑0 lead before the final showdown. In other news, Australia avoided a clean 3‑0 sweep by South Africa after clinching a rain‑affected third ODI by 45 runs via the DLS method.
South Africa, having already secured the series with wins in Durban and Johannesburg, were 145‑4 after 28 overs when rain halted play at 9:30 pm local time. Earlier in that match, Australia posted 322‑9, bolstered by captain Mitchell Marsh’s third consecutive half‑century and Alex Carey’s 74 off 88 balls. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett shone with the new ball, while leg‑spinner Adam Zampa kept a tight line, each taking two wickets. South Africa’s Corbin Bosch made a late‑innings impact, claiming the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green, though it was insufficient to turn the tide.
All‑rounder Bosch finished with figures of 4‑60, while Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each added two wickets to the South African tally. Overall, the day’s cricket delivered a blend of record‑breaking feats, historic firsts, and thrilling chase dynamics that will be remembered as one of the most remarkable ODI spectacles in recent memory.