Shubman Gill stole the spotlight from crowd favourites Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with a record-breaking double century as India chased down West Indies’ imposing 405 for seven with eight wickets in hand in the second ODI at the ACA Stadium on Wednesday.
Gill remained unbeaten on 223 as India reached 406 for two in 43.3 overs, completing their highest successful chase in ODI cricket. His innings, which came off 133 balls, was the centrepiece of a run-fest that produced a string of records. Altogether 811 runs have been scored in the ACA Stadium ground here on Wednesday. With this, India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.
Gill smashed the fastest double century in ODI history and also became the first Indian captain to score a double hundred in the format. He brought up his 150 in just 89 balls, the fastest by an Indian in ODIs, before powering India home in emphatic fashion.
Rohit gave India the perfect start with a 101 off 75 balls. He became only the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to cross 12,000 ODI runs.
Rohit’s dismissal in the 26.2nd over brought Kohli to the crease, triggering another huge cheer from the stands. Kohli made 29 before being dismissed, leaving the crowd disappointed.
Rohit has a formidable ODI record at the ACA Stadium. He scored an unbeaten 152 against West Indies in 2018 and made 83 against Sri Lanka in 2023. Kohli has also registered two ODI hundreds at the venue, scoring 140 against West Indies in 2018 and 113 against Sri Lanka in 2023. India’s chase gathered momentum at an extraordinary rate. The hosts reached 300 in just 29.1 overs, the fastest any team has reached the mark in an ODI.
Earlier, Gill won the toss and opted to field but West Indies made the most of a batting-friendly surface. Three West Indies batters scored centuries as the visitors posted their highest ODI total of 405 for 7. John Campbell smashed 101 off 68 balls, Shai Hope made 104 and Amir Jangoo struck 114 off 77 balls.
Campbell’s century came off 65 balls, the fastest ODI hundred by a West Indies batter against India. The three centuries also marked the first time West Indies had three centurions in an ODI innings. Medium-pacer Auqib Nabi made his international debut for India on Wednesday.
Brief scores: West Indies 405/7 in 50 overs (John Campbell 108, Shai Hope 104, Amir Jangoo 114; Kuldeep Yadav 2/65) lost to India 406/2 in 43.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 101, Shubman Gill 233 not out; Shamar Joseph 1/52) by 8 wickets.