New Chandigarh, Oct 04 (V7N)- Shai Hope struck an unbeaten 162 as the West Indies defeated India by five wickets in the third and final ODI on Saturday, completing their highest successful run chase in ODI history.
India won the toss and elected to bat at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The hosts lost captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli cheaply, but Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied the innings with a 137-run partnership.
Rohit scored 92 off 85 balls, while Gaikwad contributed 57. India then received a late boost from KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 129 off 87 balls, including 10 fours and six sixes.
Rahul's innings helped India post 351 for seven in their 50 overs, setting West Indies a target of 352.
West Indies began the chase positively, with Hope and Amir Jangoo putting together a 67-run partnership. Jangoo eventually scored 67 from 56 balls, providing crucial support for his captain.
Hope then took control of the chase. The West Indies skipper remained unbeaten on 162 from 143 balls, guiding his side to 352 for five in 48.2 overs and completing the victory with 10 deliveries to spare.
The result gave West Indies their highest successful run chase in men's ODI history. Their previous record chase was against Ireland in 2019, when they successfully chased 328.
Hope's innings was also the highest score by a West Indies men's batter in a successful ODI chase, surpassing Brian Lara's 153 against Pakistan in 1993.
The defeat ended India's winning run in the series, but Shubman Gill's side had already secured the series after winning the opening two ODIs in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. India therefore won the three-match series 2-1.
Hope was named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings, while Gill was named Player of the Series after a prolific campaign.
END/SMA/AJ
