Shai Hope's extraordinary unbeaten 162 off 143 balls powered the West Indies to a record 352-run chase at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh on 3 October 2025, beating India by five wickets in the third and final ODI with 10 balls to spare. The result gave the West Indies a consolation win, with India clinching the series 2-1. It also marks the West Indies' highest-ever successful ODI chase and their first ODI victory over India since 2023.

Hope Against All Odds

Hope had already spent 50 overs keeping wickets in the punishing heat before a finger injury to Jewel Andrew and a subsequent hospital visit forced him to open the batting — a decision that ultimately defined the match. Battling a niggle, Hope remained at the crease through 48.2 overs, stroking 17 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 113.29. This was his 21st ODI hundred, his second successive century in the series, and his fifth against India. Characteristically understated, he did not celebrate upon reaching three figures, merely adjusting his bat grip as Keemo Paul offered congratulations.

Key Partnerships and Turning Points

Chasing 352, openers Hope and John Campbell attacked from the first ball, scoring eight boundaries in the opening four overs. Mohammed Siraj broke the stand when an inswinger bowled Campbell for 10, though Campbell had already been reprieved when Gurnoor Brar put him down at third man.

Amir Jangoo then joined Hope in a 109-run stand off 103 balls. Jangoo reached his fifty off 47 balls — becoming only the fifth batter to record fifty-plus scores in each of his first three ODI innings in India — before being run out for 67 after a mix-up triggered by Virat Kohli's direct hit from mid-wicket. Kohli had earlier dropped Jangoo at point. Sherfane Rutherford fell for 24, caught behind off debutant Naman Dhir, though he was visibly unconvinced he had edged.

Paul counter-attacked with a brisk 44 off 35 balls in a 65-run fourth-wicket stand before holing out at deep square leg off Brar. Matthew Forde made 7 before Kuldeep Yadav dismissed him. With 66 runs needed from seven overs, Hope shifted gears — sweeping Kuldeep for four and launching an 83-metre six down the ground in the 45th over.

No-ball Controversy and India's Fielding Woes

A costly moment arrived in the 48th over when debutant Anshul Kamboj overstepped with Hope on 146. Hope deposited the no-ball over mid-on to reach 150, then struck the free hit for four as well, with Gudakesh Motie also contributing boundaries — a combined 22 runs coming off the over. India's struggles in the field were encapsulated by a record-equalling nine dropped catches across the match — six by the West Indies and three by India — matching the all-time ODI record. KL Rahul left the field after the 22nd over with Dhruv Jurel taking the gloves, and Brar limped off with a left ankle problem, with India's body language visibly flat as the chase progressed.

India's Innings and Final Scoreboard

India had posted 351/7 in 50 overs, anchored by KL Rahul's unbeaten 129 and Rohit Sharma's aggressive 92. Jayden Seales was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3 for 62, while Paul took 2 for 71. In the end, West Indies reached 352/5 in 48.2 overs, with Hope finishing the chase by slogging Dhir for six over deep backward square leg to level the scores, then pushing a single to long-off for the win.

India's 2-1 series victory will serve as the headline, but Hope's innings will be the enduring image — a captain's knock that rewrote West Indies ODI history.