Captain Shai Hope delivered a masterful performance to guide the West Indies to a five-wicket victory over India on Saturday, sealing the highest successful ODI run chase in their history. The visitors reached their target of 352 with 10 balls to spare, earning a consolation win in the three-match series, which India concluded with a 2-1 margin. Despite enduring a grueling day that saw him keep wickets for the full 50 overs at the New PCA Stadium and later opening the batting due to teammate Jewel Andrew’s injury, Hope finished with a brilliant, unbeaten 162. Despite battling a niggle, Hope stayed through 48.2 overs and lived up to the meaning of his surname to finish on an unbeaten 162 as the West Indies chased down 352 and beat India by five wickets on Saturday. After Hope got his half-century off 46 balls, Jangoo reached his fifty off 47 balls with a pulled six off Nitish Kumar Reddy, as their stand crossed 100 in the 18th over. Heave and bring out his stunning back-foot shots to reach his 21st ODI hundred in the 34th over – his second successive century and fifth against India, hope carried on to punch.
Hope’s innings was defined by 17 boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 113.29. The West Indies’ pursuit began aggressively, with Hope and John Campbell accumulating eight boundaries in the first four overs. Although Mohammed Siraj dismissed Campbell for 10, Amir Jangoo settled in to form a pivotal 109-run partnership with his captain. Jangoo, who survived a dropped catch by Virat Kohli, contributed 67 before being run out following a mix-up. His exit marked a significant moment, as he became only the fifth batter to register fifty-plus scores in each of his first three ODI innings in India. Chasing 352, Hope and John Campbell were right on the money from the word go – as they hit eight boundaries between themselves in the first four overs. Shortly after Gurnoor Brar had put him down at third man, but Mohammed Siraj broke the stand with an inswinger that castled Campbell for 10. On 67, was run out after Kohli’s throw from mid-wicket hit the stumps at the bowler’s end following a mix-up, the partnership ended at 109 off 103 balls when Jangoo. And only adjusted his bat grip as Keemo Paul congratulated him, he did not celebrate.
The match was characterized by a high volume of dropped chances, with both sides totaling nine missed catches, equaling an ODI record. India also dealt with injury setbacks, as KL Rahul left the field after 22 overs and Gurnoor Brar departed with an ankle issue. Sherfane Rutherford added 24 for the West Indies before falling to debutant Naman Dhir. Keemo Paul provided essential momentum with a quick-fire 44, putting on 65 runs with Hope to stabilize the chase. Given caught behind off debutant Naman Dhir, though he was unconvinced over edging behind, sherfane Rutherford fell for 24.
As the required rate intensified, Hope took charge, sweeping Kuldeep Yadav for four and clearing the ropes for an 83-metre six in the 45th over. The 48th over proved decisive for India’s fate; after Naman Dhir overstepped while Hope was on 146, the captain punished the no-ball with a massive hit over mid-on to reach 150. A subsequent boundary off the free hit, combined with aggressive batting from Gudakesh Motie, yielded 22 runs in that over.
Hope ultimately sealed the win by slogging Naman Dhir for a six over deep backward square leg to level the scores, then nudged a final single to long-off. The result stands as the West Indies’ first ODI victory against India since 2023. India had previously posted 351/7 in their 50 overs, led by an unbeaten 129 from KL Rahul and 92 from Rohit Sharma, while Jayden Seales took 3-62 and Keemo Paul claimed 2-71 for the Caribbean side. The win marks a memorable end to the series for the West Indies after a challenging day in the field.
