A packed stadium bore witness to a cascade of batting milestones on Wednesday, with Shubman Gill anchoring the Indian innings by smashing an unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, guiding India 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. It marked his eleventh century in the format, and he was one of five batsmen to reach three figures on the day. India piled up 406 for 2 in 43.3 overs, securing a 2-0 lead in the three-match contest.
Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a solid 101, and together the pair forged a 255-run partnership off 158 balls – the second‑largest opening stand ever for India in ODIs, trailing only the 258‑run opening partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in 2001. The chase was historic: it became only the second instance in ODI history where a side successfully pursued a target above 400, the first being South Africa’s 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. India’s total of 406 eclipsed its previous highest chase of 362‑1 set against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, underscoring the magnitude of the achievement.
Before India’s reply, the West Indies had posted a formidable 405‑7, crossing the 400‑run threshold for the first time in an ODI innings. Three West Indian batsmen – Amir Jangoo (114), captain Shai Hope (104), and opener John Campbell (101 off 68 balls) – each recorded centuries, marking the first occasion that three centuries were scored in a single ODI match. Their combined effort produced a total of 110 runs in the powerplay, and Jangoo added a rapid 70‑ball hundred later, hitting three sixes and 13 fours. Despite the fireworks, the West Indies fell short, becoming the first side to register three centuries in an ODI and still lose.
Gill’s knock was a masterclass in pacing a chase. After reaching his first half‑century in just 24 balls, he accelerated to a century in 62 deliveries. His second fifty came off a mere 24 balls, and he continued to dominate after Sharma’s dismissal, eventually reaching the double‑hundred mark in 117 balls – the fastest double hundred in ODI history.
This innings also surpassed Glenn Maxwell’s 201 against Afghanistan in 2023, establishing Gill’s 223 as the highest score ever made in a successful chase and the third‑highest individual total in ODI cricket overall. Reflecting on his performance, 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." On the West Indian side, John Campbell set the tone with an aggressive 101 off 68 balls, blasting five sixes and nine fours.
He and Hope added 110 runs in 79 balls, taking full advantage of the batting‑friendly conditions. Jangoo, building on his half‑century from the first ODI, struck a swift 70‑ball hundred, contributing heavily in the final ten overs where West Indies amassed 76 runs. The match also featured a notable moment for India’s opening partnership record, now second only to the Tendulkar‑Ganguly stand of 258 runs. Sharma’s 35th ODI century came off 72 balls before he was dismissed lbw by Jayden Seales in the 27th over.
Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday. India had already clinched the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram, winning by seven wickets. In other news, Australia avoided a clean 3‑0 sweep by South Africa, 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 145‑4 after 28 overs when rain interrupted play, leading to the match’s early termination. Earlier in that game, Australia posted 322‑9, powered by captain Mitchell Marsh’s third consecutive fifty 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 wasn’t enough; all‑rounder Brett Lee (hypothetical) finished with figures of 4‑60, and fellow bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each claimed two wickets. Overall, the day highlighted the evolving nature of limited‑overs cricket, where scores above 400 are becoming attainable, and individual brilliance, such as Gill’s monumental double century, is redefining what is possible in a 50‑over game.