Guwahati: Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma rewrote the record books with breathtaking centuries as India chased down West Indies’ mammoth 406-run target in just 43.3 overs to register an eight-wicket victory in the second ODI in Guwahati on Wednesday.
The win gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. It was also India’s highest successful run chase in ODI cricket. Gill remained unbeaten on 223, while Rohit Sharma struck 101 from 75 balls as the opening pair put together a commanding 255-run partnership.
Gill’s innings was the centrepiece of the chase. The India captain completed his second ODI double century and became only the second batter after Rohit Sharma to score more than one ODI double hundred. His 223 not out also made it the fastest ODI double century, underlining the extraordinary pace of his innings.
Rohit, meanwhile, produced another attacking hundred, reaching his 35th ODI century from 75 balls. His aggressive approach alongside Gill ensured that India maintained control of the chase from the outset.
The Indian openers took apart a West Indies attack that had little answer to their stroke-making. Rohit eventually departed for 101, but Gill continued to dominate before India completed the chase with 39 balls to spare.
Earlier, the West Indies produced an extraordinary batting performance, posting 405/7 in their 50 overs — their highest-ever ODI total. Three West Indies batters scored centuries in the same innings, with John Campbell making 101, captain Shai Hope scoring 104 and Amir Jangoo contributing 114.
Campbell provided the initial assault, reaching his century in just 65 balls and finishing with 101 from 68 deliveries, including nine fours and five sixes. Hope then anchored the innings while maintaining a high scoring rate, before Jangoo accelerated further in the latter stages.
Jangoo’s 114 came from 77 balls and included 13 fours and three sixes. The three centuries made it the first time West Indies had three centurions in the same ODI innings and helped the visitors cross 400 for the first time in the format.
India’s inexperienced pace attack struggled on a batting-friendly surface. Debutant Auqib Nabi conceded heavily, while Gurnoor Brar was the most successful of the pace bowlers with two wickets. Prasidh Krishna also claimed one wicket.
The spinners provided some relief. Kuldeep Yadav finished with 2/65 and reached the landmark of 200 ODI wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja took 2/75.
Despite West Indies’ record-breaking total, India’s response was even more emphatic. Gill and Rohit transformed what initially appeared to be a daunting chase into a one-sided contest, taking India past the target with ease and sealing the series with one match still to play.
The third and final ODI will be played in New Chandigarh on October 3.
Brief Scores: India 406 for 2 (Gill 223*, Rohit 101) beat West Indies 405 for 7 (Jangoo 114, Hope 104, Campbell 101, Kuldeep 2-65) by eight wickets
