A packed stadium bore witness to a cascade of batting milestones on Wednesday, with Shubman Gill anchoring India's chase by smashing an unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, propelling 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 recorded on the day, as India piled up 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, securing a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match contest. Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 101, and the pair forged a 255‑run opening partnership in 158 balls – the second‑largest opening stand for India in ODI history, trailing only the 258‑run partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in 2001.
This chase became only the second successful pursuit of a target exceeding 400 runs in ODI cricket, following South Africa's record 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. India's total of 406‑2 eclipsed their previous best chase of 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, underscoring the magnitude of Gill's contribution. The West Indies, before being bowled out, posted 405‑7, crossing the 400‑run threshold for the first time in their ODI history.
Their innings featured an unprecedented trio of centuries: Amir Jangoo led with 114, captain Shai Hope added 104, and opener John Campbell set the tone with a rapid 101 off just 68 balls. This marked the first occasion in which five individual centuries were recorded in a single ODI match.
India wrapped up the chase with 6.3 overs to spare. Gill's second half‑century came off a blistering 24 balls, and he reached his hundred in just 62 deliveries. Sharma, meanwhile, notched his 35th ODI hundred, scoring 101 off 72 balls before falling to a LBW by Jayden Seales in the 27th over. After Sharma's dismissal, Gill continued his onslaught, reaching the double‑hundred mark in 117 balls – the fastest double century ever recorded in ODIs.
His 223 surpassed Glenn Maxwell's previous chase record of 201 against Afghanistan in 2023, and it now stands as the third‑highest individual score in ODI cricket overall. 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 began aggressively as Campbell unleashed five sixes and nine fours, propelling the visitors to 96‑1 in the powerplay despite the absence of the injured Justin Greaves.
Campbell went on to claim his second ODI hundred, reaching the milestone in just 65 balls, while his partnership with Hope added 110 runs in 79 balls. Hope, taking full advantage of the batting conditions, recorded his 20th ODI century.
Jangoo, who had scored a half‑century in the first match, responded with a second ODI hundred, reaching 100 in 70 balls and hitting three sixes and 13 fours as the West Indies accelerated in the final ten overs, adding 76 runs. The match also entered the record books as the 11th instance of a side producing three centuries in a single ODI, but uniquely, it was the first time that such a feat ended in defeat. Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday.
India had already secured the opening game 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 interrupted play at 8:30 pm local time, leading officials to abandon the match at 9:30 pm.
Earlier in that game, Australia posted 322‑9, buoyed by captain Mitchell Marsh's third consecutive fifty and Alex Carey's 74 off 88 balls. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett made an impact with the new ball, while leg‑spinner Adam Zampa kept a tight line, each claiming two wickets. South Africa's Corbin Bosch fought back in the death overs, taking the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green, but his efforts fell short.
All‑rounder Gerald Coetzee finished with figures of 4‑60, and teammates Lizaad Williams and others each added two wickets to the tally. Overall, the day was a celebration of high‑scoring cricket, with records shattered, historic chases completed, and individual brilliance on full display, setting the stage for an exciting finale to the series.