West Indies captain Shai Hope produced a heroic display at the New PCA Stadium, anchoring his side to a stunning five-wicket victory over India. Despite the physical toll of keeping wickets for a full 50 overs in the intense heat, and a late shift to the opening position due to a finger injury sustained by Jewel Andrew, Hope remained at the crease for 48.2 overs to seal the win. 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. Even as the West Indies surged ahead, India’s body language was flat.
Chasing a formidable target of 352, the West Indies recorded their highest successful ODI chase and their first victory against India in the format since 2023. This result serves as a consolation win for the visitors, who concluded the series with a 2-1 deficit. Hope finished on 162 not out, a majestic knock that included 17 boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 113.29.
The chase began with aggression as Hope and John Campbell combined for eight boundaries within the first four overs. Although Mohammed Siraj eventually claimed Campbell’s wicket for 10 following a missed chance by Gurnoor Brar, Amir Jangoo settled in to form a pivotal 109-run partnership with his captain. Jangoo, who survived a dropped catch by Virat Kohli, became only the fifth batter to score fifty-plus in each of his first three ODI innings in India. His contribution of 67 ended in a mix-up that resulted in a run-out via a direct hit from Kohli. 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. 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. 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.
Hope secured his 21st ODI century during the 34th over, marking his second consecutive triple-digit score and his fifth against India. While the West Indies maintained their momentum, India’s fielding struggled, as the match witnessed nine dropped catches in total—an equalizing ODI record. Key Indian players, including KL Rahul, who departed with a glove injury, and Brar, who suffered an ankle problem, faced physical setbacks during the contest. KL Rahul went off after the 22nd over, with Dhruv Jurel taking the gloves, and Brar limped off with a left ankle problem.
The latter stages of the innings saw Keemo Paul provide a vital 44-run cameo before falling to Brar. With 66 runs required from the final seven overs, Hope accelerated the scoring by targeting Kuldeep Yadav, including a massive 83-metre six in the 45th over. The 48th over proved decisive; after Anshul Kamboj overstepped on a delivery to Hope, the captain smashed the free hit for four, helping to accumulate 22 runs in that set of deliveries.
Hope ultimately finished the match in style, striking a six off Naman Dhir over deep backward square leg to level the scores before rotating the strike with a final single. The West Indies reached 352/5 with 10 balls remaining. India’s total of 351/7 was built upon an unbeaten 129 from KL Rahul and 92 from Rohit Sharma, supported by bowling efforts from Jayden Seales, who claimed 3-62, and Keemo Paul, who added 2-71. Given caught behind off debutant Naman Dhir, though he was unconvinced over edging behind, sherfane Rutherford fell for 24.
