Shai Hope's extraordinary unbeaten 162 — scored despite a finger niggle and after keeping wickets for a full 50 overs — steered the West Indies to a stunning five-wicket victory over India in the 3rd ODI at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, on 3 October. Chasing a daunting 352, the West Indies reached 352/5 in 48.2 overs, completing their highest-ever successful ODI chase and their first ODI win over India since 2023. India, who had already clinched the series, finished with a 2-1 scoreline.

Hope's Historic Chase

Hope's innings was the centrepiece of a remarkable West Indies response. Opening the batting after a hospital visit ruled out Jewel Andrew, Hope constructed his knock with a blend of precision and power — 17 boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 113.29. He reached his 21st ODI hundred in the 34th over, his second successive century and his fifth against India, before completing the chase with a slog over deep backward square leg and a push for a single to long-off, with 10 balls to spare.

Amir Jangoo provided early momentum alongside Hope, reaching his fifty off 47 balls and becoming only the fifth batter to post fifty-plus scores in each of his first three ODI innings in India. Their stand of 109 off 103 balls ended when Jangoo, on 67, was run out following a mix-up and a direct hit from Virat Kohli at mid-wicket. Keemo Paul counter-attacked with a brisk 44 off 35 balls, adding 65 for the fourth wicket before being dismissed.

With 66 runs needed from seven overs, Hope swept and drove Kuldeep Yadav for boundaries and struck an 83-metre six down the ground to take the visitors past 300. A costly 48th over for India saw debutant Anshul Kamboj overstep with Hope on 146; Hope heaved the no-ball over mid-on to reach 150 and then struck the free hit for four as well, with Gudakesh Motie adding two boundaries — 22 runs coming off that over alone.

Rahul's Career-Best and India's Strong Total

KL Rahul, batting for the first time in the series, produced a career-best 129 not out off 87 balls to anchor India's innings after an early collapse. Rohit Sharma contributed 92 with 10 fours and 3 sixes, while Ruturaj Gaikwad made 57 off 69 balls, including a boundary and four sixes. India posted 351/7 in 50 overs, piling up 105 runs in the last 60 balls.

Rahul brought up his ninth ODI hundred off 80 balls in the 49th over, pulling a short ball from Jayden Seales over fine leg. Debutant Naman Dhir contributed a lively 30 off 21 balls, while debutant Kamboj hit two sixes before a run-out ended his cameo of 17 off 9 balls. Rohit also reached a landmark during his innings, becoming the quickest batter to 10,000 ODI runs as an opener, in 202 innings.

India's Collapse and Rohit-Gaikwad Recovery

India's innings began disastrously. Shubman Gill, who had scored a hundred and a double hundred in the first two games, was caught down the leg side by Hope off Jayden Seales for just 1. Virat Kohli was bowled first ball, the delivery holding its line to castle him through the gate, leaving India at 4/2 inside three overs. India closed the Powerplay on a lowly 28/2, among their weakest ten-over returns in recent years.

Rohit and Gaikwad steadied the innings with a stand of 137, though Gaikwad was dropped four times before departing for 57. Rohit fell for 92, eight short of a century, top-edging a pull to deep mid-wicket off Paul. Seales finished with 3/62 and Paul with 2/71 for the West Indies.

Fielding Woes and India's Bowling Concerns

A record-equalling nine catches were dropped across the match — six by the West Indies and three by India — equalling the ODI record for missed catches in a single game. India's bowling also raised concerns, with Gurnoor Brar limping off with a left ankle problem and KL Rahul retiring from keeping duties after the 22nd over, with Dhruv Jurel taking the gloves. West Indies seamer Vitel Lawes also limped off with a left calf problem after a difficult outing, conceding 54 runs in five overs. India's management will be concerned about the lack of incisiveness in their back-up bowling options ahead of future assignments.

The series result — India winning 2-1 — gives the hosts comfort, but Hope's masterclass and the fielding lapses ensure this final match will be scrutinised closely as India prepare for bigger challenges ahead.