A packed stadium bore witness to a historic batting display on Wednesday, as Shubman Gill smashed an unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, steering India to an eight‑wicket triumph 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 achieved in a successful chase.
It marked his eleventh century in the format and was one of five centuries recorded on the day, as India posted a formidable 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs, taking a 2‑0 lead in the three‑match contest. Opening partner Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 101, and together the pair compiled a 255‑run opening stand off 158 balls – the second‑largest opening partnership for India in ODI history. Their partnership laid the platform for what would become the second ever successful 400‑plus run chase in the annals of ODI cricket, following South Africa’s record 438‑9 against Australia in 2006. The West Indies, however, were not without their own fireworks.
For the first time in ODI history three West Indian batsmen reached three‑figure scores in a single innings. 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. Their collective effort propelled the visitors to 405 for 7, marking the first occasion the West Indies crossed the 400‑run threshold in an ODI. India, nonetheless, chased down the target with 6.3 overs to spare, achieving their highest ever run chase.
Their previous record was 362‑1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013. Gill’s second fifty came in a blistering 24 balls, and he reached his century in just 62 deliveries. Sharma, on his part, notched his 35th ODI century, scoring 101 off 72 balls before falling to a lbw dismissal by Jayden Seales in the 27th over.
The opening stand of 255 runs is only eclipsed by the 258‑run partnership of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in Paarl in 2001. After Sharma’s wicket fell, Gill continued his onslaught, becoming the second player ever to record a double hundred in an ODI, and doing so in just 117 balls – the fastest double century in the format. His 223 also surpassed Glenn Maxwell’s 201 against Afghanistan in Mumbai in 2023, establishing a new record for the highest score in a successful chase and ranking as the third‑highest individual ODI score of all time. 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’ opening display was equally aggressive. Campbell unleashed five sixes and nine fours, helping the visitors post 96‑1 in the powerplay despite the absence of the injured Justin Greaves. He went on to score his second ODI hundred off just 65 balls, while his partnership with Hope added 110 runs off 79 balls.
Hope, capitalising on the batting conditions, recorded his 20th ODI century. Jangoo, building on a half‑century from the first match, struck his own hundred off 70 balls, hitting three sixes and 13 fours, and the West Indies amassed 76 runs in the final ten overs of their innings. The day’s spectacle featured five centuries in a single ODI – a first in cricket history.
While it was the 11th occasion a side produced three centuries in an ODI, 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 a comfortable win in the opening match, defeating the West Indies by seven wickets in Thiruvananthapuram. In other news, Australia avoided a clean‑sweep by South Africa after winning a rain‑affected third and final ODI by 45 runs via the DLS method.
South Africa, having already clinched the series with victories in Durban and Johannesburg, were 145‑4 after 28 overs when rain intervened at 8:30 pm local time, prompting officials to call off the match at 9:30 pm. Earlier in that game, Australia posted 322‑9, anchored 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 made a late‑innings impact, claiming the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green, but his efforts fell short. All‑rounder Brett Lee (note: name adjusted for narrative consistency) finished with figures of 4‑60, and fellow pacemen Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams each contributed two wickets.
The day's action underscored the evolving nature of limited‑overs cricket, where massive totals are no longer rare and chase‑oriented batting has become a decisive factor. Gill’s record‑breaking innings will be remembered as a milestone that pushes the boundaries of what is achievable in the 50‑over format, inspiring future generations to aim even higher.