A packed stadium bore witness to an extraordinary display of batting on Wednesday, with Shubman Gill anchoring India’s chase by scoring an unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, guiding his side 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. The knock marked his eleventh century in the format and was one of five centuries compiled on the day, as India piled up 406 for 2 in 43.3 overs, taking a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match series. Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a swift 101, and together the pair forged a 255‑run opening stand off 158 balls – the second‑largest opening partnership for India in ODI history, trailing only the 258‑run stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in 2001.
India’s total represented the second successful chase of a 400‑plus target in ODI cricket, following South Africa’s record 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. The chase also eclipsed India’s previous best of 362‑1 set against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, underscoring the magnitude of the achievement. The West Indies, batting first, posted 405 for 7, crossing the 400‑run threshold for the first time in their ODI history. Their innings was historic in its own right, as three of their batsmen reached centuries – a first for any side in a single ODI.
Amir Jangoo led the way with 114, captain Shai Hope added 104, and opener John Campbell set the tone with a rapid 101 off just 68 balls. Campbell’s blitzkrieg at the top included five sixes and nine fours, propelling the West Indies to 96 for 1 in the powerplay. He later combined with Hope for a 110‑run partnership off 79 balls, while Jangoo, building on his half‑century from the first match, struck a second hundred off 70 deliveries, hitting three sixes and 13 fours. The five‑century feat marked the first time a single ODI featured five individual centuries, and although it was the 11th occasion a team recorded three centuries in an innings, it was the first instance where that team eventually lost.
Returning to India’s chase, Gill’s second fifty came in a blistering 24 balls, and he reached his century in just 62 deliveries. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, notched his 35th ODI hundred, scoring 101 off 72 balls before being dismissed leg‑before‑wicket by Jayden Seales in the 27th over. After Sharma’s wicket fell, Gill continued his onslaught, eventually reaching the double‑hundred mark in 117 balls – the fastest double century ever recorded in ODI cricket.
His 223 not out also surpassed Glenn Maxwell’s previous record of 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai in 2023 for the highest individual score in a successful chase, and it stands as the third‑highest individual score in ODI history overall. Reflecting on his marathon 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.” India wrapped up the chase with 6.3 overs to spare, sealing a comprehensive win that not only gave them a series lead but also cemented Gill’s place among the modern greats of limited‑overs cricket.
Looking ahead, Chandigarh is set to host the final ODI on Saturday. India had already claimed the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram, winning by seven wickets. In other news from the international calendar, Australia avoided a 3‑0 whitewash by South Africa after edging a rain‑affected third and final ODI by 45 runs using the DLS method. South Africa, who had already secured the series with victories in Durban and Johannesburg, were 145 for 4 after 28 overs when rain intervened, prompting officials to call off play at 9.30 pm local time.
Earlier in that match, Australia posted 322 for 9, propelled 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 bowled incisively, each taking two wickets. South Africa’s Corbin Bosch made a late‑innings impact by claiming the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green, but his efforts were insufficient; the all‑rounder finished with figures of 4 for 60, and teammates Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each added two wickets.
The day’s cricketing action highlighted the ever‑increasing scoring rates in the modern game and underscored how a single extraordinary performance – such as Gill’s record‑breaking double century – can tilt the balance of a high‑stakes contest. The West Indies’ historic batting display, though ultimately falling short, demonstrated that even the most formidable totals can be chased when a side combines composure, power hitting, and strategic pacing. As the series moves toward its climax, fans can expect further fireworks, tactical battles, and perhaps another chance for a player to rewrite the record books.