West Indies 352 for 5 (Hope 162*, Jangoo 67) beat India 351 for 7 (Rahul 129*, Rohit 92, Gaikwad 57, Seales 3-62) by five wickets
Shai Hope’s relentless determination and match-winning knock of 162 not out powered West Indies to a historic comeback victory, overcoming significant adversities including injuries and questionable officiating decisions. The win marked West Indies’ highest successful run chase in ODI history, coming just days after their heartbreaking defeat despite posting a massive 405 against the same opposition.
Hope’s heroics were even more remarkable considering he spent nearly the entire match on the field, hobbling through the latter stages after enduring the physical toll of keeping wickets for 50 overs. His partnership with opener Amir Jangoo laid the foundation for what would become a superbly paced chase, with the duo putting on 109 runs for the second wicket.
“That West Indies managed to chase down 352 with such ease, despite losing key players to injury, creates fascinating ‘what if’ scenarios about this series,” commented observers. The controversy surrounding Sherfane Rutherford’s dismissal added another layer of drama, with replays suggesting the ball may have deflected off his bat before hitting his pad, though the third umpire could find insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision.
Keemo Paul’s timely 44-run cameo, batting in the top five for the first time in his ODI career, provided crucial support during the middle overs. His aggressive strokeplay helped maintain the required run rate while Hope conserved energy for the final push.
India’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved costly in hindsight. While KL Rahul produced his personal best ODI score of 129 not out and Rohit Sharma contributed a fluent 92, the Indian bowling attack struggled without key players Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. The absence of their premier fast bowlers left gaps that West Indies capitalized on throughout the chase.
“If they hadn’t won all the tosses and West Indies had gotten to chase sooner in the series, the outcome might have been different,” noted cricket analysts. The batting-friendly conditions in New Chandigarh heavily favored the chasing team, making India’s total of 351 seem more like a platform for defeat rather than a competitive score.
Hope’s innings was a masterclass in adjusting to challenging circumstances. When his strike rate dipped during periods of physical discomfort, Paul took the offensive, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable. The breakthrough came in the final overs when Hope, having conserved energy, unleashed a flurry of boundaries including a memorable straight six off Kuldeep Yadav’s last over.
Rahul’s patient approach paid dividends as he scored 42 runs off the final 12 balls he faced, maximizing the last three overs with an extra fielder positioned due to India’s slow over rate. His ninth ODI century,fourth innings fifty, and fourth hundred from just 36 innings at number five demonstrated his adaptability in different batting positions.
Despite several dropped catches and indifferent ground fielding from both sides, West Indies maintained their focus throughout the chase. The victory provided sweet revenge for their recent heartbreak and showcased their resilience in pressure situations.
For India, the defeat raised concerning questions ahead of next year’s World Cup, particularly regarding their bowling attack depth and fielding standards. The inability to defend a substantial total despite posting competitive batting performances highlighted areas requiring immediate attention.
KL Rahul made 129 not out, his highest ODI score•AFP/Getty Images
Jayden Seales emerged as West Indies’ most successful bowler with three wickets, dismissing both Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in successive deliveries to trigger an early collapse. His wobble-seam delivery troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the innings, proving particularly effective in the powerplay overs.
The win completed a dramatic turnaround for West Indies, who had previously lost despite scoring 405 in their last encounter. This time, their bowling limitations were exposed, but their batting prowess and mental fortitude secured a memorable victory that will be remembered as one of their finest ODI chases.
Amir Jangoo is the third-highest run-getter of the series with a tally of 239 at a strike rate of 136•Associated Press
Jangoo’s promotion to number three in the batting lineup proved inspired, allowing him to maximize field restrictions and accelerate the scoring rate. His aggressive approach complemented Hope’s anchor role perfectly, with the pair demonstrating excellent understanding at the crease.
Mohammed Siraj’s return to the West Indies attack yielded mixed results, taking the wicket of John Campbell with a wobble-seam delivery but failing to contain the flow of runs consistently. The pressure of defending a large total took its toll on India’s bowlers, who struggled to contain West Indies’ determined batting lineup.
Rohit Sharma almost collected three centuries in four ODIs. He fell short by eight runs•AFP/Getty Images
Rohit’s near-century highlighted India’s batting strength, falling just eight runs short of what would have been his third consecutive hundred. His aggressive strokeplay in the middle overs provided crucial impetus to the innings, though he ultimately couldn’t shepherd his team to victory.
The final stages saw West Indies capitalize on India’s bowling fatigue and tactical errors. With an extra fielder circling due to over-rate penalties, Hope found gaps in the field regularly, accelerating to seal victory with three balls to spare. His straight six off Kuldeep Yadav’s final over served as the exclamation mark on a memorable chase.
West Indies’ triumph represented more than just three points; it was a statement of intent that their batting lineup could handle any target set against them. The victory completed a fitting conclusion to a series filled with batting fireworks, controversial decisions, and memorable performances from both sides.