A packed stadium bore witness to an extraordinary display of batting on Wednesday, as Shubman Gill anchored India's chase with an unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, steering his side to an eight‑wicket win over the West Indies in the second One‑Day International of the series. Gill's innings not only marked his personal best in ODIs but also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score ever achieved in a successful run‑chase.
It was his eleventh century in the format, and one of five hundreds compiled on the day, as India posted a massive 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, taking a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match contest. Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a solid 101, and together the pair amassed 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 only the second successful chase of a 400‑plus total in the annals of ODI cricket, the first being South Africa's record 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. The West Indies, however, had their own historic moments earlier in the innings. For the first time in an ODI, three West Indian batsmen reached triple figures. Amir Jangoo led the way with 114, captain Shai Hope added 104, and opener John Campbell set the tempo with a rapid 101 off just 68 balls.
Their collective effort propelled the visitors to 405 for 7, marking the Caribbean side's inaugural 400‑run total in a one‑day match. Despite the daunting target, Gill and his teammates kept the required run‑rate under control and finished the chase with 6.3 overs to spare.
This pursuit eclipsed India's previous best chase of 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur back in 2013, establishing a new national record for the highest successful chase. Gill reached his half‑century in a blistering 24 balls and completed his hundred in just 62 deliveries, showcasing his aggressive intent.
Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, recorded his 35th ODI century, reaching 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 second player ever to record a double hundred in an ODI, and doing so in just 117 balls – the fastest double century in the format to date. His 223 not only surpassed Glenn Maxwell's 201 against Afghanistan in 2023 as the highest score in a run‑chase, but it also stands as the third‑highest individual score ever recorded in an ODI. Reflecting on his monumental effort, 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 fireworks.
Campbell smashed five sixes and nine fours, propelling the visitors to a rapid 96‑1 after the powerplay. He went on to score his second ODI century, reaching 101 off just 65 balls, and forged a 110‑run partnership with Hope in 79 balls. Hope, taking full advantage of the batting conditions, notched his 20th ODI hundred. Jangoo, building on his half‑century from the first match, produced a second hundred off 70 balls, striking three sixes and 13 fours, and helped West Indies add 76 runs in the final ten overs.
The match thus became the first ODI to feature five centuries in a single game. While it was the 11th occasion of a team scoring three centuries in an ODI, it was the first time that such a feat ended in defeat. Looking ahead, Chandigarh will host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday.
India had already secured a convincing win in the opening match, beating the West Indies by seven wickets in Thiruvananthapuram. In other news, Australia avoided a 3‑0 whitewash by South Africa, clinching a rain‑affected third and final ODI by 45 runs via the DLS method. South Africa, having already sealed 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, but it was insufficient. All‑rounder Cameron Green finished with figures of 4‑60, and fellow pacemen Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each added two wickets to the tally.