A packed stadium bore witness to an extraordinary display of batting on Wednesday, with Shubman Gill anchoring India’s chase by remaining unbeaten on 223 runs off just 133 deliveries, propelling his side to an eight‑wicket victory 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 recorded in a successful run‑chase.
It was his eleventh century in the format, and one of five hundreds struck on the day, as India compiled a formidable total of 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, taking a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series. 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 recorded by India in ODIs.
Their partnership was only eclipsed by the 258‑run opening partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in Paarl back in 2001. India’s chase marked only the second occasion in ODI history that a side successfully pursued a target exceeding 400 runs, following South Africa’s record 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. The West Indies, however, had already made history of their own by posting 405‑7, the first time a team had crossed the 400‑run threshold in a one‑day match. Gill’s masterclass came with 6.3 overs still remaining, delivering India’s highest ever chase; the previous record was 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013.
After reaching his half‑century in a blistering 24 balls, Gill accelerated to his century in just 62 deliveries, showcasing a blend of power and precision that left the opposition scrambling. Sharma, meanwhile, recorded his 35th ODI hundred, reaching 101 off 72 balls before being dismissed lbw by Jayden Seales in the 27th over.
The opening partnership of 255 runs now sits second only to the Tendulkar‑Ganguly record, underscoring the dominance of the Indian top order. After Sharma’s wicket fell, Gill continued his onslaught, eventually reaching a double hundred off 117 balls – the fastest double century ever in ODIs. In doing so, he also surpassed Glenn Maxwell’s 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai in 2023 to claim the highest individual score in a successful chase, and his 223 places him third on the all‑time list of highest individual ODI scores. 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 West Indies’ innings had its own fireworks. Opener John Campbell set an aggressive tone, blasting five sixes and nine fours to reach a rapid 101 off just 68 balls, his second ODI century, and helping the visitors to 96‑1 in the powerplay. He then combined with captain Shai Hope for a 110‑run partnership off 79 balls, with Hope also capitalising on the batting conditions to notch his 20th ODI hundred (104). Amir Jangoo, who had made a half‑century in the first match, followed it up with a 114‑run knock off 70 balls, striking three sixes and 13 fours as the West Indies added 76 runs in the final ten overs.
The trio of centuries – Campbell, Hope and Jangoo – marked the first time five individual hundreds were recorded in a single ODI, and the 11th occasion a side posted three centuries in the format, albeit the first such instance ending in defeat. The match also highlighted the depth of West Indian batting, even as they missed the injured Justin Greaves. Their ability to score at such a rate made the chase a thrilling contest, though ultimately India’s firepower proved too much. Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the series‑deciding third ODI on Saturday.
India had already secured the first game, winning by seven wickets in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. In other news, Australia avoided a clean‑sweep by South Africa after clinching a rain‑affected third 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 call off the match an hour later. Earlier in that match, Australia posted 322‑9, buoyed 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 attempted a late‑order resurgence, claiming the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green, but the effort fell short.
All‑rounder Zampa finished with figures of 4‑60, while Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each contributed two wickets. Overall, the day was a celebration of batting brilliance, record‑breaking chases, and the ever‑evolving dynamics of modern ODI cricket, with Gill’s monumental 223 standing out as a testament to the power and skill now commonplace in the limited‑overs arena.