NEW CHANDIGARH: In one of the most astonishing run chases in one-day international history, the West Indies scaled down a mammoth 352-run target against India in the third and final ODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, winning by four wickets to sign off the series with a famous victory.
Set 352 after India piled up 351 for 7, the Caribbean side completed the chase to register a record-breaking win — a result that will be remembered as the defining night of the tour even as India clinched the three-match series 2-1.
Hope’s masterclass seals the chase
Captain Shai Hope was the architect of the heist, crafting a magnificent unbeaten 162 that blended classical strokeplay with calculated aggression. Walking in early, Hope anchored the innings through the middle overs and accelerated precisely when the asking rate threatened to climb, finishing the job himself to spark wild celebrations in the visiting dugout.
He found willing partners at the other end as the West Indies refused to let the required rate dictate terms, keeping wickets in hand for a final assault that left India’s bowlers searching for answers on a true New Chandigarh surface.
India take the series 2-1 despite defeat
For India, the defeat stung but did not undo the broader outcome of the series. Having won the first two matches, the hosts had already wrapped up the rubber 2-1 before Saturday’s final game — and the team management used the occasion to blood fresh talent, with young pacer Anshul Kamboj earning his maiden ODI cap.
Kamboj’s debut marked another step in India’s ongoing effort to build bench strength ahead of a packed white-ball calendar, and the youngster will take valuable lessons from bowling on a night when the bat dominated everything.
What the result means
For the West Indies, the win is far more than a consolation. Chasing down 352 against India in India represents a statement of intent from a side rebuilding its white-ball identity under Hope’s calm leadership — proof that on their day, they can out-bat anyone in world cricket.
The result is also a timely reminder for India: even with a series in the bag, no total is safe in modern ODI cricket when an in-form batter gets going. As both teams turn their attention to upcoming assignments, Saturday night in New Chandigarh will live long in the memory — the night the West Indies chased 352 and rewrote what was thought possible.
