A packed stadium bore witness to a spectacular display of batting on Wednesday, as Shubman Gill anchored India’s chase with an unbeaten 223 runs off just 133 deliveries, steering the side to an eight‑wicket win 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 achieved in a successful run‑chase.
It marked his eleventh century in the format, one of five centuries recorded on the day, and helped India compile a total of 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, securing a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series. Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a swift 101, and the pair amassed a 255‑run opening stand off 158 balls – the second‑largest opening partnership for India in ODI history. Their collaboration laid the foundation for what became the second successful 400‑plus chase in the annals of One‑Day cricket, following South Africa’s historic 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. The West Indies, before being bowled out, made history of their own by posting 405 for 7, crossing the 400‑run threshold for the first time in an ODI innings.
Three of their batsmen reached three‑figure scores, a first‑time occurrence for the Caribbean side. Amir Jangoo led the way with 114, captain Shai Hope added 104, and opener John Campbell set an aggressive tempo with a rapid 101 off just 68 balls.
India’s chase began confidently, and Gill, despite the massive target, finished the innings with 6.3 overs to spare. This chase eclipsed India’s previous best of 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, establishing a new national record for the highest successful pursuit. Gill’s second fifty came in a blistering 24 balls, and he reached his century in just 62 deliveries. Sharma, meanwhile, recorded his 35th ODI hundred, scoring 101 off 72 balls before falling lbw to Jayden Seales in the 27th over.
The opening partnership of 255 runs now ranks just behind the 258‑run stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in Paarl in 2001. After Sharma’s dismissal, Gill continued his onslaught, becoming the first player to register a second double‑hundred in ODIs, achieving the feat in 117 balls.
His 223 not out is the fastest double century ever recorded in the format and surpasses Glenn Maxwell’s 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai in 2023, making it the highest individual score in a run‑chase and the third‑highest score overall in ODI history. Reflecting on his innings, 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’ innings also featured explosive moments. Campbell smashed five sixes and nine fours, propelling the visitors to 96‑1 in the powerplay. He went on to register his second ODI hundred, reaching the milestone in just 65 balls, while forging a 110‑run partnership with Hope in 79 balls. Hope, taking full advantage of the batting conditions, notched his 20th ODI century.
Jangoo, building on his half‑century from the first match, produced a second hundred off 70 balls, hitting three sixes and 13 fours, and helped West Indies add 76 runs in the final ten overs. The day marked the first occasion in which five centuries were scored in a single ODI match. It also represented the 11th time a side has produced three centuries in an ODI, albeit the first such instance that still resulted in defeat. Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday.
India had already clinched the opening game, winning by seven wickets in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. In other news, Australia avoided a clean 3‑0 sweep by South Africa, clinching a rain‑affected third and final ODI by 45 runs under the DLS method.
South Africa, having already secured the series with victories 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, propelled by captain Mitchell Marsh’s third consecutive fifty‑plus score 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, dismissing Carey and Cameron Green, but it was insufficient.
All‑rounder Zampa finished with figures of 4‑60, and fellow pacemen Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each claimed two wickets. The day’s cricketing drama underscored the evolving nature of limited‑overs batting, with record‑breaking chases and multiple centuries highlighting the sport’s growing emphasis on aggressive, high‑scoring play.
Gill’s monumental innings will be remembered as a milestone that redefined what is possible in an ODI chase, while the West Indies’ collective century‑making effort demonstrated that even in defeat, teams can push the boundaries of traditional scoring limits.