Skippers often ask for the heavy roller after spending 50 overs in humid conditions, but Shubman Gill knew exactly what he wanted when he called for it at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
What followed over the next three-and-a-half hours turned into one of the most extraordinary run-chases in ODI history.
Gill smashed an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls, while Rohit Sharma produced a vintage 101 from 75 deliveries as India chased down the West Indies’ massive 406-run target with eight wickets and 39 balls to spare.
The victory gave India their highest successful men’s ODI run-chase. It also became the second-highest successful chase in 50-over cricket, behind South Africa’s pursuit of Australia’s 438 in 2006.
Earlier, the West Indies posted 405/7 after India elected to field. Amir Jangoo scored 114, captain Shai Hope made 104 and John Campbell struck 101 as the visitors produced a remarkable batting display.
A 400-plus target appeared daunting, but Gill and Rohit turned the chase into a one-sided contest.
India needed 8.12 runs per over, yet the opening pair attacked from the first over. Rohit and Gill repeatedly found the boundary against Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph, putting the West Indies bowlers under immediate pressure.
India reached 50 in seven overs and crossed 100 inside 12 overs. Rohit brought up his half-century from 32 balls, while Gill reached his fifty in 39 deliveries before accelerating dramatically. He completed his century from only 62 balls.
India reached 200 in 21.1 overs, setting a new record for their fastest 200 in men’s ODI cricket. A dropped catch also hurt the West Indies when Keacy Carty put down Rohit on 84 off Vitel Lawes.
The opening partnership eventually reached 255, the highest opening stand for India during an ODI chase. Jayden Seales ended the partnership when he trapped Rohit lbw with an off-cutter.
Rohit’s innings also took him beyond 12,000 ODI runs, adding another milestone to an already remarkable performance.
Virat Kohli then scored a quick 29 off 19 balls, hitting three fours and a six. Sherfane Rutherford and Shamar Joseph combined for an outstanding boundary-line relay catch to dismiss him. By then, India needed little more than a formality to complete the chase.
Gill continued his assault despite battling severe leg cramps in the intense Guwahati humidity. He struck 26 boundaries and eight sixes while maintaining a remarkable strike rate of 167.67.
He reached 150 from 89 balls before completing his double century from just 117 deliveries with a single off Lawes in the 39th over. That effort broke Ishan Kishan’s previous record of 126 balls for the fastest ODI double-century.
The double century also marked Gill’s second in ODI cricket. He became the first captain to score double centuries in both Tests and ODIs while leading his country.
Gill’s unbeaten 223 also surpassed Glenn Maxwell’s 201 not out against Afghanistan in 2023 for the highest individual score in an ODI run-chase.
Ruturaj Gaikwad provided steady support at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 31 from 37 balls. He hit the winning single to complete India’s historic victory and trigger celebrations inside the Indian dressing room and among the Guwahati crowd.
West Indies Produce Historic Batting Display
Earlier, the West Indies stunned the home crowd by posting their first-ever 400-plus ODI total. The innings featured three centuries, only the sixth such occurrence in ODI history.
Campbell set the tempo with an explosive start. He reached his fifty from just 29 balls and scored 101 from 65 deliveries, producing the fifth-fastest ODI century for the West Indies.
Captain Shai Hope anchored the innings with 104, while Jangoo added a powerful 114 from 77 balls. Hope also moved past Brian Lara with his 20th ODI century.
Campbell attacked from the powerplay and reached 69 from 39 balls. Prasidh Krishna conceded 22 runs in the seventh over as Campbell found the boundary repeatedly.
India debutant Auqib Nabi also faced a difficult introduction, conceding 17 runs in his fourth over.
Campbell completed his century from 65 balls before Brar dismissed him for 101 when he top-edged a pull to deep square leg.
Hope survived two dropped catches before reaching his century from 89 balls. Kuldeep Yadav eventually dismissed him for 104 after forcing him into a slog, with Nabi taking the catch at third man.
Jangoo maintained the momentum and moved from 59 off 54 balls to his century from 70 deliveries. He repeatedly found the boundary on the off side against Naman Dhir, Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja.
Sherfane Rutherford fell for a golden duck after Brar found the edge of his bat, while Jangoo later departed after cutting Jadeja to Ruturaj Gaikwad at backward point.
The West Indies then became only the sixth team in ODI history to produce three centurions in a single innings.
Kuldeep claimed Keemo Paul at long-on and completed his 200th ODI wicket in his 123rd match. Only Mohammed Shami, who reached the landmark in 104 games, has achieved the feat faster among Indian bowlers.
Jadeja dismissed Alzarri Joseph at deep mid-wicket, but Roston Chase and Shamar Joseph added 36 runs from the final five overs. Their late assault took the West Indies beyond 400.
India’s Bowlers Face Pressure
India’s bowling attack struggled to contain the West Indies throughout the innings. Nabi conceded 84 runs, recording the most expensive ODI debut by an Indian bowler and surpassing Karsan Ghavri’s previous mark of 83 against England at Lord’s in 1975.
Brar, Jadeja and Kuldeep claimed two wickets each, but the West Indies maintained a high scoring rate throughout the innings.
India will have concerns over the lack of penetration from their pace attack, particularly after another difficult outing. However, Gill and Rohit’s extraordinary opening partnership gave India complete control of the chase.
Speaking after the match, Gill acknowledged the physical demands of the humid conditions.
“I mean, I think every part of my body is cramping right now, and it was very hot in the afternoon. When we had about 13 overs, it was feeling like we had already fielded for 20-25 overs, the way they were batting. So great a game, I think,” Gill said.
Brief Scores:
West Indies 405/7 in 50 overs (Amir Jangoo 114, Shai Hope 104, John Campbell 101; Kuldeep Yadav 2-65, Ravindra Jadeja 2-75)
India 406/2 in 43.3 overs (Shubman Gill 223 not out, Rohit Sharma 101; Shamar Joseph 1-52, Jayden Seales 1-78) by eight wickets