Shubman Gill produced one of the most extraordinary ODI innings in Indian cricket as India chased down 406 against West Indies with eight wickets in hand at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday.
What looked like a daunting target turned into a breathtaking batting exhibition as Gill remained unbeaten on 223, completing the fastest double-century in ODI cricket. India reached the target in just 43.3 overs, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare.
Gill’s assault was relentless. The India captain brought up his double century in just 117 balls, combining power, precision and extraordinary range to dismantle the West Indies attack.
He found an ideal partner in Rohit Sharma, who added another spectacular century. Rohit struck 101 from 75 balls, providing the perfect platform for Gill to launch the chase into another dimension.
The chase became even more remarkable considering what West Indies had done earlier.
Put into bat, the visitors posted a mammoth 405/7 in 50 overs, powered by centuries from John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo. Campbell smashed 101 from 68 balls, Hope made 104, while Jangoo hammered 114 from 77 balls. It was West Indies’ first 400-plus total in ODI cricket.
For a brief period, 405 appeared to have put India under enormous pressure.
Instead, Guwahati witnessed a batting masterclass.
Gill took control almost immediately, turning the required run rate into an afterthought. Rohit’s century further accelerated the chase before Gill carried India across the finish line in spectacular fashion.
For India, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets apiece, with Kuldeep also completing 200 ODI wickets during the innings.
The victory was India’s second successive eight-wicket win in the series and gave Gill’s side an unassailable 2-0 lead.
But the scoreboard will tell only part of the story.
The defining image of the night in Guwahati was Gill, unbeaten on 223, having transformed a 400-plus chase into a one-sided finish.
West Indies 405/7.
India 406/2 in 43.3 overs.
Shubman Gill 223.*
A record chase. A record-breaking double century. And a night at the ACA Stadium that will be remembered for years.
