Guwahati (TIP): Shubman Gill produced one of the finest innings of his ODI career, smashing an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls as India chased down West Indies’ mammoth 405 for seven with eight wickets and 39 balls to spare in the second ODI on Wednesday, Sept 30.
The eight-wicket victory gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and saw the hosts complete the second-highest successful chase in ODI history. India became only the second team to successfully chase a target of more than 400 in men’s ODIs, after South Africa’s 438 against Australia in 2006.
Gill’s extraordinary knock contained 26 fours and eight sixes and was his highest ODI score. He reached his century in 62 balls before accelerating further, bringing up his double century from just 117 deliveries – the fastest 200 in men’s ODI cricket. He also became only the second batter after Rohit Sharma to register more than one ODI double century.
The Indian captain received superb support from Rohit Sharma, who scored 101 from 75 balls. The opening pair added a remarkable 255 runs from 158 deliveries, effectively taking the game away from the West Indies before Rohit was dismissed after reaching his century.
Virat Kohli contributed 29 before falling, but there was little pressure on India by then. Gill continued his assault and finished the match alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad as India reached 406 for two in 43.3 overs.
West Indies’ huge total overhauled
Earlier, West Indies had appeared to put the game beyond India’s reach after posting 405 for seven, their first 400-plus total in ODI cricket.
The visitors produced an extraordinary batting display of their own, with John Campbell (101), Shai Hope (104) and Amir Jangoo (114) all scoring centuries. It was only the sixth time in ODI history that three batters from the same team had scored hundreds in an innings.
Campbell struck 101 from 68 balls, Hope made 104 from 94 and Jangoo’s 114 came off 77 deliveries. India’s bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies batsmen, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja taking two wickets each.
But what looked like a daunting target was made to appear surprisingly straightforward by Gill and Rohit. Their 255-run opening stand provided India with the perfect launchpad before Gill took complete control of the chase.
The match produced five centuries in all, with three from West Indies and two from India, while the combined total of 811 runs underlined the extraordinary batting conditions at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Gill was named Player of the Match for his record-breaking 223.
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