A packed stadium bore witness to a cascade of batting milestones on Wednesday, headlined by Shubman Gill’s monumental unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, as India secured an eight‑wicket win over the West Indies in their second One‑Day International. Gill’s innings not only marked his personal best in the format but also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score ever achieved in a successful run‑chase. It was his eleventh ODI century, one of five hundreds compiled on the day, and it propelled India to a total of 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, giving them a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series. Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a swift 101, and together the pair amassed a 255‑run opening partnership in 158 balls – the second‑largest opening stand ever recorded by India in ODIs.
This partnership laid the foundation for what became only the second successful chase of a 400‑plus total in the history of the format, following South Africa’s record 438‑9 chase of Australia back in 2006. The West Indies, before being bowled out, posted a formidable 405 for 7, crossing the 400‑run threshold for the first time in ODI history.
Their innings featured a historic trio of centuries: Amir Jangoo led with 114, captain Shai Hope added 104, and opener John Campbell set the tempo with a rapid 101 off just 68 balls. Campbell’s blitz included five sixes and nine fours, helping the visitors reach 96 for 1 in the powerplay and later forge a 110‑run partnership with Hope in 79 balls. Jangoo, building on a half‑century from the first match, struck his own hundred off 70 balls, hammering three sixes and 13 fours as the West Indies piled up 76 runs in the final ten overs. This was the first occasion in which five centuries were recorded in a single ODI, and while it marked the eleventh time a side had three centuries in an innings, it was the first such instance that ended in defeat.
India’s chase was completed with 6.3 overs to spare, marking the highest successful run‑chase in the nation’s ODI history; the previous record was a 362‑1 victory over Australia in Jaipur in 2013. Gill’s second fifty came off a blistering 24 balls, and he reached his hundred in just 62 deliveries.
Sharma, meanwhile, notched his 35th ODI century, reaching 101 off 72 balls before falling lbw to Jayden Seales in the 27th over. The opening stand of 255 runs now ranks just behind the 258‑run partnership 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 record a double hundred in a chase off just 117 balls – the fastest double century in ODI cricket. His 223 eclipsed Glenn Maxwell’s 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai in 2023, establishing a new record for the highest individual score in a successful chase and the third‑highest individual tally in any ODI.
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." The match also featured a strong start from the West Indies despite the absence of injured fast bowler Justin Greaves.
Campbell’s rapid hundred, scored in just 65 balls, set the tone, and his partnership with Hope demonstrated how well the visitors adapted to the batting conditions. Jangoo’s aggressive approach in the death overs added another layer of excitement, as the West Indies amassed 76 runs in the final ten overs.
Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday. India had already clinched the first match, winning by seven wickets in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. In other news, Australia avoided a clean‑sweep by South Africa after edging 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 for 4 after 28 overs when rain halted play at 9:30 pm local time.
Earlier in the Australian‑South African encounter, 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 claiming two wickets. South Africa’s Corbin Bosch made a late‑innings impact, taking the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green, though it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. All‑rounder Zampa finished with impressive figures of 4‑60, while Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each added two wickets to the tally.