NEW CHANDIGARH, India – Shai Hope continued to show why he is considered among the best ODI batters in the world, with his unbeaten century propeling West Indies to an impressive five-wicket victory over India in the final match on Saturday.
Hope’s 162 not out off 143 balls – his second successive century of the series – was the lynchpin behind the regional side’s highest-ever successful ODI run chase, as they finished on 352 for five in 48.2 overs in reply to India’s competitive 352 for seven at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
The win helped the West Indies end the series on a winning note, with India having already wrapped up the three-match series by comfortably winning the first two games.
Still, it was just reward for the West Indies’ batters, who were outstanding throughout the series.
Hope was forced to open the innings with John Campbell after Jewel Andrew suffered an injury to his hand while fielding.
Together with Campbell, they gave the Windies a speedy start, scoring 41 runs in four overs.
Campbell, who was dropped when he was nine, added just one more run before he missed a full, straight delivery from pacer Mohammed Siraj and was clean bowled.
Hope built on that foundation with Amir Jangoo, with their 109-run partnership strengthening the Windies’ position.
During that stand Hope reached his 33rd ODI half century off 46 balls by nudging pacer Gurnoor Brar into the onside for a single.
Jangoo survived a chance the next delivery when he was put down by Virat Kohli at backward point when he was 34.
He took advantage by reaching his 50 off 47 balls, punching Brar to mid off for a quick single.
Miscommunication between the two eventually led to Jangoo’s demise, as he was caught well short of his ground at the non-striker’s end after taking off for a single that Hope had little interest in.
Sherfane Rutherford looked in good nick for his 24 off 25 balls and combined with Hope to add a further 56 runs for the third wicket which carried them past the 200-run mark.
Rutherford was dismissed in controversial fashion when he was adjudged caught behind off spinner Naman Dhir, with the review also proving inconclusive, to make the score 206 for three at the end of 30 overs.
Soon after, a limping Hope reached his 21st ODI century off 104 balls with a single to long on off spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
With Hope hobbling, Keemo Paul took the initiative during a crucial 65-run stand, scoring 44 of those runs off 35 balls to keep the Windies in the driver’s seat.
India would have had high hopes of a possible victory when Brar had Paul caught at deep midwicket and Yadav dismissed Matthew Forde for seven to leave the visitors 290 for five in the 44th over.
But Hope, who became the first wicketkeeper/batsman to score 150 in a men’s ODI, along with Gudakesh Motie, who scored 19 not out off 14 balls, kept their composure and momentum to take them to victory in an unbroken partnership of 62.
In all, Hope struck 17 fours and three sixes in his 255-minute stay at the crease.
Earlier, the West Indies would have been disappointed that India got up to their eventual total after a superb opening spell by Jayden Seales.
The fast bowler struck in the third over of the day by having captain Shubman Gill caught behind by a diving Hope for just one, and two balls later he bowled Virat Kohli through the gate for a duck to leave India reeling on four for two.
But Rohit Sharma, who made 92 off 85 balls and an extremely lucky Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was dropped four times in his knock of 57 off 69 balls, repaired the damage during a 137-run partnership.
And when Paul accounted for Sharma’s wicket, KL Rahul transformed the complexion of the match during an unbeaten 129 off just 87 balls, inclusive of 10 fours and six sixes, that helped India pummel 106 runs off the last 10 overs.
Seales ended with figures of 3-62, while Paul took 2-71.
(CMC)
Summarised Scores
INDIA 351-7 in 50 overs (KL Rahul 129 not out, Rohit Sharma 92, Ruturaj Gaikwad 57, Naman Dhir 30, Anshul Kamboj 17; Jayden Seales 3-62, Keemo Paul 2-71) vs WEST INDIES 352-5 in 48.2 overs (Shai Hope 162 not out, Amir Jangoo 67, Keemo Paul 44, Sherfane Rutherford 24, Gudakesh Motie 19 not out, John Campbell 10).
