Shai Hope carried his bat for an unbeaten 162 as West Indies chased down 352 to beat India by five wickets in the third and final ODI in New Chandigarh on Saturday. The visitors got home with 10 balls to spare for the highest successful run-chase in their ODI history, although India had already sealed the series 2-1.
Hope’s knock came off 143 balls with 17 fours and three sixes. It is now the highest score by a West Indies batter against India in ODIs, passing Desmond Haynes’s 152 not out from 1989, and he became the first wicketkeeper-captain to make 150 or more in a men’s ODI.
Rahul’s hundred sets up 351
India won the toss and batted. KL Rahul led the way with 129 not out from 87 balls, hitting 16 fours and six sixes. Rohit Sharma made 92 before Keemo Paul removed him, and Ruturaj Gaikwad added 57. Naman Dhir (30 off 21) and debutant Anshul Kamboj (17 off nine) pushed India to 351 for seven. Jayden Seales took three wickets.
“Was very happy with the total,” India captain Shubman Gill said. “I think the game was in control, but being behind four overs with this dew… they took the game away at the end.”
Hope breaks the chase into pieces
West Indies went in a batter short, with Jewel Andrew injured. Hope and Amir Jangoo put on a century stand, and Jangoo made 67 off 56 balls before he was run out.
Hope said a conversation with MS Dhoni shaped his approach. “We were a batter down and probably two, so it was always going to be a challenge. It’s something I had a great chat with the great man MS Dhoni, who told me you always have more time than you think. So we tried to break the chase down. I knew India would have to bring fielders in for the over rate penalty. So stayed patient.”
He also batted through discomfort late on. “Felt something around the groin area but wanted to fight through till the end,” he said.
Paul’s 44 kept the asking rate in check. “When I was in the middle with Shai, the plan was just to keep the required rate under 8 an over,” he said. “Shai was struggling a bit so I knew I had to take some chances.” He added: “Hope is a modern day legend. The way he batted in this series is incredible.”
Hope reached 150 with a boundary in the 48th over, and Gudakesh Motie finished on 19 not out.
Gill wants sharper fielding and death bowling
Gill, who made 223 not out in the second ODI in Guwahati, was named Player of the Series. He was frank about what still needs work.
“Fielding is one of them, we dropped a lot of catches. Fielding needs to be top notch. Our death bowling as well needs fine tuning. Sometimes we are not sure if we are attacking or defending,” he said.
On holding back Kuldeep Yadav’s last two overs, Gill explained: “There was some uncertainty around Gurnoor being back or not and Kuldeep is a wicket-taker so wanted a few overs from him for the end.” Gurnoor Brar had briefly left the field with an injury.
Next up: five T20Is
The two sides now play a five-match T20I series starting in Lucknow on 6 October. Hope said the batters had been consistent across the ODIs but the bowling must improve. On his fitness, he said: “We have two days so hopefully I’ll be good to go.”
