Gill hits 223 not out as India chase down WI record total

Shubman Gill scored a career-best 223 not out as India sensationally chased down West Indies’ record 405-7 with 39 balls to spare in the second one-day international in Guwahati.

West Indies looked to be favourites at the interval having posted their highest ever total in the format, with John Campbell (101), Shai Hope (104) and Amir Jangoo (114) all hitting centuries.

India captain Gill, however, was in sublime form – bringing up his century off just 62 balls and his 200 just 55 balls later. The elegant right-hander plundered eight sixes and 26 fours, putting on 255 for the first wicket with Rohit Sharma, who scored a century of his own.

Rohit was trapped lbw for 101 and Virat Kohli fell for 29 but Ruturaj Gaikwad joined Gill to ensure India won in style and with remarkable ease.

Earlier, centuries for Campbell, Hope and Jangoo meant the Windies recorded their highest team total in the format. It was only the sixth time in ODI history that a team has had three centurions in one innings. Campbell and Hope put on 110 in 79 balls for the second wicket, before a huge third-wicket partnership of 182 between Hope and Jangoo set the platform for a record total.

Left-handed opener Campbell struck five sixes in his rapid century and took 22 off one Prasidh Krishna over.

India bowlers Krishna and Naman Dhir picked up injuries while paceman Auqib Nabi had a debut to forget – conceding 84 runs, the fourth-most by an Indian winning his first ODI cap. West Indies’ batting performance comes less than a week since news that their players must take a 25% pay cut as part of wider cost-saving measures.

The two-time World Cup winners are also facing a battle to qualify directly for next year’s competition, having been consigned to a qualifier in early 2027. (BBC)