Captain Shai Hope produced a masterclass in resilience and strokeplay, guiding the West Indies to a record-breaking run chase and a five-wicket victory over India in the third and final One-Day International at Chandigarh.
Faced with a daunting target of 352, the West Indies achieved their highest-ever ODI run chase in stunning fashion, overhauling India’s total of 351-7 with 10 balls to spare. The triumph in Chandigarh provided a brilliant consolation for the tourists, who had already dropped the opening two matches of the series in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati, suffering eight-wicket defeats in both encounters. For the West Indies, who were asked to chase for the first time in the series, the victory marked their first ODI win against India since 2023, bringing a dramatic and uplifting end to the 50-over leg of their tour.
The foundation of the record-breaking pursuit was laid by a remarkable captain’s knock from Hope, who promoted himself to the opening position following an unfortunate injury in the West Indies camp. Opening partner Jewel Andrew had suffered a finger injury while taking a catch earlier in the day, an incident severe enough to require a hospital visit. Forced to reshuffle their plans, the West Indies turned to their captain, who had already endured a grueling afternoon behind the stumps in stifling, high-humidity conditions, keeping wicket for all 50 of India’s overs.
Despite the physical toll, Hope delivered a monumental performance. Battling through visible discomfort and extreme fatigue in the closing stages of his innings, the skipper anchored the chase with an unbeaten 162 off 143 balls. His magnificent knock, which featured 17 boundaries and three sixes, represented his second-highest score in ODI cricket, his second consecutive century of the series, his 21st ODI hundred overall, and his fifth against India. In a fitting conclusion to a grueling day of cricket, it was Hope who struck the winning run to seal the historic victory.
Speaking after the match, Hope revealed the physical strain he endured to get his side over the line. He admitted to feeling sharp pain around his groin area during the later stages of his innings but explained that his determination to fight through the discomfort until the end carried him forward. He also acknowledged the favorable batting conditions that materialized as the match progressed under the lights, noting that chasing is traditionally much easier in India, particularly once the dew sets in and makes the ball slick for the bowlers.
Hope was ably supported throughout the innings by a series of crucial partnerships. After the early loss of wickets, he combined with Amir Jangoo in a vital second-wicket stand, adding 109 runs off 99 balls. The partnership successfully weathered a refreshed Indian bowling attack that welcomed back experienced fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and all-rounder Nitish Reddy, alongside debutant pace bowler Anshul Kamboj, who finished his maiden outing without a wicket.
Jangoo eventually fell for 67 off 56 balls, run out in the 21st over, but the West Indies refused to let their scoring momentum slip. Sherfane Rutherford strode to the crease and played a brisk knock of 24, contributing a valuable 56-run partnership with Hope. Later in the innings, Keemo Paul unleashed an aggressive cameo, scoring 44 off just 35 deliveries with the aid of five boundaries. Paul and Hope added 65 runs together off 61 balls to keep the required run rate well within reach.
Following Paul’s dismissal in the 41st over, when he was caught off the bowling of Gurnoor Brar, Hope shifted into a higher gear. Having already reached his half-century off 46 balls and his century off 104 balls, the West Indian captain accelerated dramatically. He bludgeoned 62 runs off the final 39 balls he faced, striking an additional seven fours and two sixes to rush his team toward the target.
India’s troubles were compounded in the closing stages when they were penalized for a slow over rate during the final four overs, forcing them to station an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle. Hope and Gudakesh Motie, who chipped in with an unbeaten 19, capitalized on the restriction by adding an unbroken 62 runs off just 29 balls for the sixth wicket to finish the job.
Earlier in the day, India had won the toss and elected to bat first, setting up another formidable total. However, their innings suffered an immediate jolt when opening batsman and captain Shubman Gill was caught behind for just one run, quickly followed by senior star Virat Kohli, who was bowled for a golden duck. Both prized scalps were claimed by fiery West Indian fast bowler Jayden Seales, leaving the hosts reeling at the start of the innings.
The early blows left India struggling at just 28 runs on the board after the first 10 overs. From that precarious position, Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul embarked on a magnificent recovery operation to resurrect the innings and drive the hosts toward a commanding total. Sharma played a measured and authoritative knock, scoring 92 runs off 85 deliveries. He anchored the middle overs alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, sharing a brilliant 137-run partnership for the third wicket that completely shifted the momentum back toward India.
Sharma appeared well on his way to securing a second consecutive century in the series, but his innings was cut short in the 25th over when he was caught off the bowling of Keemo Paul. Gaikwad continued to anchor the innings for a while longer, contributing a well-compiled 57 runs off 69 balls before becoming the third victim of Jayden Seales four overs later.
The fall of Gaikwad’s wicket brought Lokesh Rahul to the crease, and the wicketkeeper-batter unleashed an exhibition of power-hitting that propelled India well past the 350-run mark. Rahul played a breathtaking, unbeaten knock of 129 runs from just 87 deliveries, striking 10 fours and six towering sixes. Demonstrating remarkable acceleration, he reached his first fifty off 41 balls and needed just 39 more deliveries to reach his second fifty. Enjoying productive partnerships with Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar, Rahul ensured that India finished their 50 overs with a formidable total of 351-7, which ultimately proved insufficient against Hope’s historic batting display.
With the conclusion of the high-scoring one-day series, both teams will now turn their attention to the shortest format of the game. The touring West Indies side and India are set to begin a five-legged Twenty20 international series, with the opening fixture scheduled to take place in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.