Hope carries West Indies to their highest successful ODI chase as they overhaul India’s 351 despite Rahul’s unbeaten 129

Shai Hope produced a magnificent unbeaten 162 to lead West Indies to their highest successful chase in ODI cricket, as they stunned India by chasing down 352 in New Chandigarh.

Hope batted through the entire innings after keeping for 50 overs and, despite struggling with his fitness during the final stages, remained unbeaten to complete a remarkable chase.

His performance came only days after West Indies had scored 405 against India but still suffered defeat. This time, however, Hope’s extraordinary effort ensured India’s imposing total was not enough.

India’s innings had been powered by an unbeaten 129 from KL Rahul, but the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya once again exposed weaknesses in their bowling attack.

Rahul Rescues India After Early Collapse

India chose to bat first after winning the toss for the third time in the series, but their decision initially appeared questionable.

West Indies quick Jayden Seales, arguably their standout bowler of the series, removed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in successive legal deliveries.

Gill gloved one down the leg side before Kohli missed a straight delivery that crashed into his middle stump, leaving India in early trouble.

Rohit Sharma then combined with Rahul to rebuild the innings.

Rohit used all his experience to counter the West Indies attack and looked set for another major score before falling for 92.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, meanwhile, endured an extraordinary sequence of dropped catches before eventually departing for 57 off 69 balls.

Rahul remained composed through the middle overs and later accelerated dramatically.

He added partnerships of 40 with Anshul Kamboj and 61 with Gurnoor Brar, before unleashing in the final stages.

With India penalised for a slow over rate, Rahul took full advantage of the field restrictions, scoring 42 from his final 12 balls as India collected 50 runs from the last three overs.

His unbeaten 129 was his ninth ODI century and his fourth from No. 5.

West Indies Start Strongly

West Indies’ chase suffered an early blow when Mohammed Siraj bowled John Campbell, but the visitors quickly settled into the chase.

Amir Jangoo, promoted to No. 3, continued his impressive series and attacked India’s bowlers during the field restrictions.

He survived a chance when Virat Kohli dropped him on 34 before going on to score 67 from 56 balls.

Jangoo and Hope added 109 for the second wicket, putting West Indies firmly in control.

Jangoo’s innings eventually ended at the hands of a run-out involving Kohli, concluding an outstanding series in which he scored 239 runs from 176 balls.

Hope Takes Control

At 62 from 62 balls, Hope knew he needed to carry the chase deep.

With West Indies already needing only 202 from their final 30 overs, the conditions were increasingly favourable for batting.

Hope responded by finding the boundary repeatedly, including a powerful back-foot six after India had bowled three consecutive dot balls.

Sherfane Rutherford then joined him, but his dismissal for 24 became one of the most debated moments of the chase.

Given out on the field, Rutherford reviewed the decision, but the third umpire declined to overturn the call despite replays showing bat and pad appearing to make contact simultaneously.

The decision left West Indies at 206 for 3 after 30 overs, still requiring only 146 from the final 20.

Paul Keeps Hope Company

West Indies were forced to reshuffle their batting after injuries affected their options.

Keemo Paul, batting in the top five for the first time in ODIs, played an important supporting role and scored 44, allowing Hope to manage his increasingly difficult physical condition.

Hope had kept for the entire Indian innings and began to struggle with his movement during the latter stages of the chase.

For a period of 42 balls, he failed to find the boundary, but Paul ensured the required rate remained manageable.

India also suffered another setback when Gurnoor Brar briefly left the field with a calf problem.

Hope Turns the Chase Into History

With the required rate beginning to rise, Hope finally shifted gears.

He struck a straight six off Kuldeep Yadav before sweeping a wrong’un for four — a particularly significant boundary after that delivery had dismissed him in both previous matches.

The asking rate reached 11.2 an over at one stage with five overs remaining, but Hope remained at the crease.

India’s slow over rate then became a major factor, forcing them to bowl the final four overs with an extra fielder inside the circle.

The pressure told.

Hope struck two boundaries off Brar in the 47th over before India turned to debutant Kamboj.

Kamboj attempted to use his wide-yorker strategy from around the wicket but missed his execution and also bowled a no-ball, providing West Indies with further assistance.

By then, Hope was within touching distance of an extraordinary individual milestone.

Hope Finishes Unbeaten on 162

Hope eventually completed an unbeaten 162 from 143 balls, producing one of the finest ODI chases of his career.

His innings was remarkable not only for its scale but also for the way he managed his fitness and paced the chase.

West Indies successfully chased 352, setting a new record for their highest successful ODI run chase.

India’s batting had produced another imposing total, with Rahul’s 129 the standout contribution, but their bowling attack could not defend it.

For West Indies, the victory provided a dramatic response to their previous defeat despite scoring 405.

This time, Hope ensured that an even bigger chase ended in triumph.