The third ODI between India and West Indies delivered a thrilling finish to the three-match series as the visitors successfully chased a massive 352-run target to defeat India by five wickets.
Played at the PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A in New Chandigarh, the match produced another batting spectacle. India appeared to have done enough after posting 351/7 in 50 overs, but West Indies captain Shai Hope produced a remarkable unbeaten 162 to guide his team home with 10 balls remaining.
India still won the ODI series 2-1, but the final match gave the hosts several areas to think about ahead of future assignments.
India Recover After a Difficult Start
India’s innings did not begin according to plan.
Captain Shubman Gill departed for just 1, while Virat Kohli was dismissed without scoring. With two major batters back in the pavilion early, India suddenly found themselves under pressure.
Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad then took responsibility for rebuilding the innings.
Rohit played an attacking yet controlled knock of 92 from 85 deliveries. His innings included 10 fours and three sixes and provided India with the momentum they desperately needed after the early wickets.
Gaikwad supported him with an important 57 as the pair put together a valuable partnership and brought India back into the contest.
KL Rahul Takes Charge
The biggest contribution for India came from KL Rahul.
Batting in the middle order, Rahul transformed India’s recovery into a huge first-innings total. He remained unbeaten on 129 from only 87 deliveries.
His ability to accelerate during the second half of the innings proved crucial. Instead of allowing the early wickets to dictate the match, Rahul ensured India kept increasing the scoring rate.
By the end of 50 overs, India had reached an imposing 351/7.
On most occasions, a score above 350 creates enormous pressure on the chasing side.
West Indies, however, had a very different response.
Shai Hope Leads a Fearless West Indies Chase
Chasing 352 required West Indies to score at more than seven runs per over from the beginning.
Rather than allowing the required rate to become a burden, the visitors constructed their chase around Shai Hope.
Hope remained calm while wickets and partnerships changed around him. Amir Jangoo provided valuable support with 67, helping West Indies maintain their position during an important phase of the chase.
India needed to remove Hope to regain control.
That breakthrough never arrived.
As the target came closer, West Indies continued finding contributions from their middle and lower-middle order. Keemo Paul’s aggressive 44 was particularly important during the latter stages.
Hope, meanwhile, remained at the crease until the job was complete.
Shai Hope Finishes With an Unbeaten 162
Hope produced the defining innings of the match, finishing unbeaten on 162 from 143 deliveries.
It was an innings built not simply around boundary hitting, but around controlling a demanding run chase.
With Hope leading from the front, West Indies reached 352/5 in 48.2 overs and completed their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket.
A target of 352 had looked formidable at the innings break.
By the end, West Indies had chased it with 10 deliveries still remaining.
India’s Bowling and Fielding Remain Areas of Concern
India may have already secured the series before the third ODI, but the defeat exposed some important concerns.
Defending 351 should have given the bowling attack a strong opportunity to control the match. Instead, West Indies were able to maintain the required scoring rate for most of the chase.
India captain Shubman Gill later highlighted fielding and death bowling as areas where the team needs improvement.
These issues become particularly important when looking beyond the result of a bilateral series.
In high-pressure tournaments, dropped chances and uncertainty during the final overs can quickly turn a strong position into a defeat.
Positive Signs for India Despite the Defeat
The result should not overshadow India’s batting positives.
Rohit Sharma once again demonstrated his ability to control an ODI innings, while KL Rahul showed exactly why he remains such an important middle-order option.
Recovering from early wickets and still reaching 351 showed considerable batting depth.
India had also already won the opening two matches of the series, meaning the final result reduced their series-winning margin rather than changing the overall winner.
West Indies Take More Than Just a Consolation Win
For West Indies, this victory carried greater significance than simply avoiding a 3-0 series defeat.
Successfully chasing 352 against India in India provides confidence to a team looking to strengthen its ODI cricket.
More importantly, the manner of the victory showed that West Indies can remain composed even when facing a huge target.
Hope’s leadership from the front was the perfect example.
India vs West Indies 3rd ODI – Match Summary
India: 351/7 in 50 overs
West Indies: 352/5 in 48.2 overs
Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Shai Hope
Series Result: India won the three-match ODI series 2-1
Key Performers
India
- KL Rahul – 129*
- Rohit Sharma – 92
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – 57
West Indies
- Shai Hope – 162*
- Amir Jangoo – 67
- Keemo Paul – 44
Final Thoughts
The final ODI was a reminder that modern ODI cricket has changed dramatically.
A total of 350 is no longer an automatic guarantee of victory, particularly when a batter is capable of controlling a chase as effectively as Shai Hope did in New Chandigarh.
India walked away with the series, but West Indies walked away with arguably the most memorable victory of the three matches.
For India, the batting depth remains encouraging, while fielding and death bowling will demand attention.
For West Indies, the night belonged to their captain.
Shai Hope did not simply score another ODI century—he produced the innings that turned a seemingly difficult chase into a historic West Indies victory.
