West Indies captain Shai Hope produced a heroic display at the New PCA Stadium on Saturday, anchoring his side to a dramatic five-wicket victory over India. Hope, who began the day by keeping wickets for the full 50 overs, was forced to open the batting after Jewel Andrew suffered a finger injury that required a hospital visit. Despite battling his own physical discomfort, Hope stayed at the crease for 48.2 overs to guide the tourists past their massive 352-run target.
The victory marked the highest successful ODI run chase for the West Indies and their first win against India in the format since 2023, leaving the hosts with a 2-1 series victory. Hope’s unbeaten 162, a knock featuring 17 boundaries and three sixes, came at a strike rate of 113.29. He was supported early by John Campbell, though the opening partnership was broken by Mohammed Siraj, who bowled Campbell for 10 after a reprieve at third man. As India ended with a 2-1 scoreline, the result gave them a consolation win in a series. 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.
Amir Jangoo provided crucial momentum, partnering with Hope to add 109 runs. Jangoo, who survived a dropped catch by Virat Kohli, reached a half-century and became the fifth batter to score fifty-plus runs in each of his first three ODI innings in India. His innings ended at 67 when he was run out following a mix-up. Later, Sherfane Rutherford fell for 24, and Keemo Paul added a brisk 44 off 35 balls before being dismissed by Gurnoor Brar. 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. Given caught behind off debutant Naman Dhir, though he was unconvinced over edging behind, sherfane Rutherford fell for 24. 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. And only adjusted his bat grip as Keemo Paul congratulated him, he did not celebrate.
As the chase intensified, Hope accelerated, taking 22 runs off the 48th over bowled by Anshul Kamboj. This pivotal sequence included a boundary off a no-ball and a massive hit for six. With the visitors needing 66 runs from the final seven overs, Hope took control, sweeping Kuldeep Yadav for four and striking an 83-metre six in the 45th over. He eventually sealed the match by slogging Naman Dhir for six, followed by a single that pushed the West Indies to 352/5 with 10 balls to spare. 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.
The match was physically demanding for both sides; India’s KL Rahul, who scored an unbeaten 129, left the field after the 22nd over, while Gurnoor Brar struggled with an ankle injury. Fielding standards fluctuated throughout the encounter, with both teams combining for nine dropped catches—equalling a record for an ODI. India had previously posted 351/7, bolstered by Rohit Sharma’s 92, while Jayden Seales claimed 3-62 for the West Indies.
Brief scores: India 351/7 in 50 overs (KL Rahul 129*, Rohit Sharma 92; Jayden Seales 3-62, Keemo Paul 2-71) lost to West Indies 352/5 in 48.2 overs (Shai Hope 162*, Amir Jangoo 67; Naman Dhir 1-33, Mohammed Siraj 1-52) by five wickets.
