In a thrilling final act of the West Indies tour of India 2026, the hosts found themselves on the wrong end of a breathtaking chase as Shai Hope produced one of the finest ODI innings seen on Indian soil. India, powered by KL Rahul’s magnificent unbeaten 129, had set a formidable target of 352 in 50 overs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. But Hope had other plans — and his stunning, captain’s knock of 162 not out off just 143 balls guided West Indies to a famous 5-wicket win with 10 balls to spare on October 3, 2026. India still won the three-match ODI series 2-1, but this was unequivocally Hope’s day.
India’s Innings: Rahul’s Brilliance Overshadowed by Early Stumbles
Put into bat by West Indies skipper Shai Hope, India’s innings got off to a catastrophic start. Jayden Seales, the tall Trinidadian pacer, proved almost unplayable in his opening spell, sending both Shubman Gill (3) and Virat Kohli (0) back to the pavilion inside the first three overs. Gill was caught behind by the diving Shai Hope off Seales at 2.3 overs, bringing India’s score to just 3 for 1. On the very next delivery, Seales bowled Kohli for a golden duck — the stumps shattered, the stadium stunned. India were rocked at 4 for 2.
The early collapse placed enormous responsibility on senior batters. Rohit Sharma, batting at number three, responded with characteristic flair. He stroked 92 off 85 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes, steadying the innings alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad (57 off 69 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes) in a third-wicket partnership that rebuilt India’s innings. However, Rohit fell agonizingly short of a century — caught by Jewel Andrew off Keemo Paul for 92 — missing out on a hundred by just eight runs. His exit left India at 141 for 3 in the 25th over.
Gaikwad continued and reached his half-century, but was eventually dismissed for 57 by Seales, caught at backward point by John Campbell. Naman Dhir then provided crucial momentum with a rapid 30 off just 21 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes, before Gudakesh Motie extracted him for 225 for 5 in the 36th over. Nitish Kumar Reddy (9) edged to Hope off Keemo Paul at 250 for 6. Anshul Kamboj, making his ODI debut as replacement for the injured Prasidh Krishna, chipped in usefully lower down the order (out at 290 for 7 in the 46th over).
It was KL Rahul’s unbeaten 129 off 87 balls — a breathtaking knock studded with authority and timing — that propelled India to 351 for 7 in 50 overs. Rahul raced to his fifty in just 41 balls and finished at a strike rate of 148.27. His innings was the cornerstone of India’s competitive total, but West Indies had one man who could match it.
India’s Bowling Figures
Jayden Seales was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 62 in 10 overs. Keemo Paul chipped in with 2 for 71 in 9 overs, while Gudakesh Motie bowled his full quota for 1 for 67 in 10 overs. Matthew Forde (6-0-26-0) was the most economical.
West Indies Chase: Hope Reigns Supreme
Chasing 352, West Indies needed a near-perfect chase, and that is precisely what they got — all built around their remarkable captain. John Campbell got the innings off to a flying start, smashing 10 off just 7 balls before Mohammed Siraj bowled him in the 5th over to leave West Indies at 41 for 1. The dismissal briefly brought hope of an Indian fightback — but what followed was an exhibition of batting craft from Shai Hope that rendered any Indian comeback attempt futile.
Amir Jangoo (67 off 56 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) formed a vital second-wicket stand with Hope that carried the score to 150. Jangoo fell for 67 in the 21st over, run out at the non-striker’s end following a swift piece of fielding involving Virat Kohli and Naman Dhir. The partnership of 109 had given West Indies a platform they would not relinquish.
In came Sherfane Rutherford (24 off 25 balls), and West Indies continued their charge. Rutherford was caught behind off Naman Dhir’s medium pace at 206 for 3 in the 30th over, but by then, Hope had already reached his century — 100 off 104 balls, with 10 fours. The West Indian skipper was pacing his innings with masterful precision, ensuring his team never fell too far behind the required run rate.
Keemo Paul’s cameo of 44 off 35 balls (5 fours) at number five proved crucial in maintaining the required run rate during the middle overs, with West Indies racing through 200 in 28.1 overs, 250 in 37.1 overs, and 300 in 45.1 overs. Paul was dismissed caught off Gurnoor Brar’s left-arm seam for 271 for 4 in the 40th over. Matthew Forde (7) also fell, leaving West Indies at 290 for 5.
By this point, Hope was in the 150s and unstoppable. He brought up his 150 off just 139 balls with 16 fours, and proceeded to see the chase home with breathtaking assurance. The winning runs came in the 48.2nd over — West Indies completing a 352-run chase with 5 wickets to spare and a full 10 balls remaining. Shai Hope remained not out on 162 off 143 balls, a knock that included 16 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 113.28.
India’s Bowling in the Chase
Mohammed Siraj was the standout Indian bowler, removing Campbell early, but once Hope took charge, no Indian bowler could contain him. Kuldeep Yadav picked up the wicket of Matthew Forde, and Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar also chipped in with one wicket each. However, Hope’s dominance rendered the Indian attack largely ineffective during the crucial phases of the chase.
Anshul Kamboj’s ODI Debut
One of the notable subplots of the match was the ODI debut of bowling all-rounder Anshul Kamboj, who replaced the injured Prasidh Krishna in the playing XI. Kamboj batted lower down the order and also bowled in the West Indies chase. While the result did not go India’s way, Kamboj’s inclusion marks another step forward in India’s efforts to build depth in their pace-bowling all-rounder options ahead of future ICC events. The selectors will be looking at how his performances in the upcoming T20I series shape his long-term case for a regular spot in India’s white-ball setup.
India Win the Series 2-1 — But Hope Steals the Show
Despite the defeat in the decider, India could take heart from the fact that they won the three-match ODI series 2-1. The first two ODIs were already won by India, giving them an unassailable lead before this final fixture. Captain Shubman Gill, who managed just 3 in this match after a productive start to the series, will look at the overall result with satisfaction even as the team will analyze the areas — particularly the inability to defend 351 — ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series starting October 6 in Lucknow.
For West Indies, this is a significant victory and a strong statement. Shai Hope’s leadership across the series has been exemplary, and this knock — arguably the greatest ODI chase innings ever played against India on home soil — will be discussed for years to come. West Indies’ batters showed they can handle pressure and big totals, with Amir Jangoo in particular emerging as a bright new talent in this format.
Key Batting Highlights
The match was a feast for batting fans on both sides. KL Rahul’s 129* was a statement of intent — precisely the kind of big knock India’s middle order needed in the build-up to future tournaments. Rohit Sharma’s 92 showed his class and consistency, and the manner in which he rebuilt the innings after the double-strike by Seales demonstrated his value to the side. For West Indies, Shai Hope’s 162* was the innings of the match, the series, and arguably among the best ODI knocks of the year anywhere in the world. The Cricbuzz headline aptly captured the contest: “Hope 162* beats Rahul 129* as West Indies pull off record chase.”
What’s Next: India vs West Indies 1st T20I
The two sides have little time to reflect, as the action shifts almost immediately to the T20I format. The five-match T20I series between India and West Indies begins on October 6, 2026 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. India will be eager to bounce back and assert their dominance in the shorter format, while West Indies will ride the momentum of this fantastic ODI result. With both teams having power-hitters at the top and dangerous bowlers in their squads, the T20I series promises to be another enthralling contest.
India’s T20 squad selection and the form of players like Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma — both of whom impressed at the Asian Games T20 tournament — will be a talking point leading into the series. For West Indies, all eyes will be on whether Shai Hope, usually a Test and ODI specialist, can carry his rich vein of form into the shortest format.
Conclusion
The 3rd ODI between India and West Indies at Mullanpur on October 3, 2026 will be remembered for a very long time — not for what India achieved, but for one man’s transcendence. Shai Hope’s 162 not out was an innings of precision, authority, and sheer brilliance. It outshone KL Rahul’s superb 129*, outdid India’s total of 351 for 7, and made the home crowd bear witness to an extraordinary display of ODI batting. While India retain the series trophy with a 2-1 win, the lasting image from this match — and arguably this entire tour — is Shai Hope raising his bat after completing a chase for the ages.
