Shubman Gill double century fuels India’s stunning 406 chase
A Shubman Gill double century carried India to the second-highest successful chase in one-day international history on Wednesday in Guwahati. Gill scored 223 not out off 133 balls as India chased down West Indies’ 405-7 to win by eight wickets, finishing at 406-2 in 43.3 overs with 39 balls to spare and taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The India captain’s unbeaten knock is the third-highest individual score in men’s ODI history and the highest ever in an ODI run chase, surpassing Glenn Maxwell’s 201, according to Sky Sports. Gill reached 100 off 62 balls and 200 off 117, the fastest double century in ODI history.
How the Shubman Gill double century turned the chase
West Indies posted its first 400-plus total in ODIs behind centuries from John Campbell (101), Shai Hope (104) and Amir Jangoo (114). It was the 11th time a team has had three centurions in one ODI innings, and the first time that team lost, according to Sky Sports. The total looked formidable at the innings break.
India broke the chase into smaller targets, aiming for roughly 75 to 80 runs in the powerplay and 200 to 210 by the 25-over mark while attacking a shorter boundary, according to StadiumRant. Gill and Rohit Sharma beat that plan, reaching 92-0 after the 10-over powerplay, per Outlook India.
The opening pair built a 255-run partnership off 158 balls, India’s second-highest opening stand in ODIs, before Rohit fell lbw to Jayden Seales for 101, his 35th ODI century. Gill struck eight sixes and 26 fours as India reached 406-2, with Virat Kohli contributing 29.
“With 400 on the board, there was pressure at the start and then at the halfway mark,” Gill said, according to Sky Sports. “I am very pleased I could stay till the end and finish this innings.”
What the record means
The Shubman Gill double century, his second in ODIs, makes him only the second batter after Rohit with multiple ODI double hundreds, according to Outlook India. His control throughout, managing the powerplay and then accelerating after Rohit’s departure, shows the maturity expected of a captain.
The chase itself is historic. India’s previous best was 362-1 against Australia in 2013, and only South Africa’s 438-9 against Australia in 2006 tops it as a successful ODI chase, per Sky Sports.
West Indies, meanwhile, posted the highest total ever in a losing cause in ODIs, per Outlook India. That effort proved insufficient, a reminder that batting records alone do not guarantee success when opponents respond with precision and aggression.
A record day in Guwahati
The Shubman Gill double century capped a match full of firsts. Rohit and Gill joined Campbell, Hope and Jangoo to make it the first ODI with five individual centuries, according to Sky Sports, and the two teams combined for 811 runs at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The win also extended India’s run to 14 straight bilateral ODI series victories over West Indies, per Outlook India.
Rohit, who also reached 12,000 career ODI runs during the innings according to Outlook India, set the tone early. But it was the Shubman Gill double century that made the target look routine.
What’s next
India and West Indies play their third and final ODI on Saturday, Oct. 3, in New Chandigarh, with India having already clinched the series. Gill took over as India’s ODI captain from Rohit last year, a move Total Apex Sports examined in Rohit Sharma Sacked: Did the BCCI Just Make a Monumental Mistake?
Reporting from Sky Sports, Outlook India, StadiumRant, BBC Sport and ESPN contributed to this story.