On the eve of the third and final ODI against India, West Indies coach Daren Sammy said a win against the world’s top-ranked side would give his team much-needed confidence, especially as his players brace for pay cuts back home.
On Saturday, Shai Hope made his coach’s wish come true, leading from the front with an inspirational unbeaten 162 (143b, 17×4, 3×6) to guide his side to a five-wicket win and salvage pride by avoiding a whitewash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 352, Hope, opening the batting, scored his second century on the bounce as the Caribbean outfit hunted down the target with 10 balls to spare.
IND vs WI, 3rd ODI – As it happened
Hope set the tone in the PowerPlay with exquisitely timed shots through covers, down the ground, and off the pads.
The skipper, alongside Amir Jangoo, the other centurion from the previous game in Guwahati, stitched a vital 109-run stand for the second wicket off just 100 deliveries. The Indian bowlers looked flat and struggled to create chances in dewy conditions.
However, against the run of play, Jangoo was run out when his partner sent him back. Keemo Paul chipped in, scoring a quick 44 off 35. Once Paul departed, Hope, despite battling fatigue, dug deep.
With the asking rate inching above 11, Hope swatted Kuldeep for a six and four in the 45th over. He followed it up by a brace of boundaries off Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj and, in the process, brought up his 150 as well.
Earlier, India posted 351 for seven, riding on K.L. Rahul’s well-paced unbeaten 124 (87b, 10×4, 4×6).
Electing to bat, Rohit Sharma (92, 85b, 10×4, 3×6) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (57, 69b, 1×4, 4×6) set the foundation by stitching a 137-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rohit started watchfully against a disciplined opening burst from pacers Jayden Seales and Matthew Forde before shifting gears and taking on the spinners.
Rahul then took charge, manoeuvring the field easily while still finding boundaries through conventional strokes; the best being an inch-perfect straight drive off Seales. During the knock, he also surpassed 10,000 international runs.
Rahul eventually cut loose in the back end of the innings, unleashing his full range of strokeplay. He stayed deep in the crease and leg-side off deliveries to hit the pacers back past them – along the ground and aerially. He brought up his ninth ODI ton in style, pulling Seales over fine-leg for a maximum.
However, on this day Hope did spring eternal for West Indies!
Published on Oct 03, 2026
