Rohit Sharma made his 35th century in ODIs and also completed 12,000 runs in the format.
West Indies batters decided to put some pressure on Indian bowlers on a batting-friendly wicket. While Keacy Carty could only manage 9 runs before getting out, other batsmen had a balling time of their lives in the middle, with John Campbell (101 from 68 deliveries), Shai Hope (104 from 94), and Amir Jangoo (114 from 77).
Roston Chase ended the innings on a strong note, making 29*, which helped the team make its record ODI total of 405/7 in 50 overs.
India had a tough task on their hands, but their openers decided to go after the West Indies bowlers with nothing to lose. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma added 255 runs for the first wicket in 26.2 overs. Rohit Sharma made his 35th ODI century, scoring 101 in 75 balls with 10 fours and 6 sixes to his name. It was a brilliant century from Rohit, who has been under pressure to perform.
Virat Kohli scored a rapid 29 off 19 balls, after which Ruturaj Gaikwad ensured that there were no further wickets lost as he scored 31* with the help of 2 boundaries. In contrast, Shubman Gill managed to score a hundred off 62 balls and proceeded to register his second ODI double ton.
This innings took place in just 117 balls, thereby earning him the title of the fastest ODI double centurion. Shubman Gill ended up scoring an unbelievable 223* off 133 balls with the help of 26 fours and 8 sixes, the highest total in a run chase in ODIs.
The Indian team ended up winning the match by 8 wickets as they chased down 406 runs in 43.3 overs. India became the second side to chase a target of 400+ in ODIs.
After the match, Rohit Sharma talked to the broadcasters and was asked about his unique celebration after reaching his century.
“I keep that celebration for myself. Ah, it's for me. It's for me. Some things are just meant to be with you. It's not to be shared. So yeah, that was for me.
Yeah, absolutely. I think, like you said, the wicket was good. We just wanted to continue to keep batting. We were not thinking too much about the scoreboard, to be honest. We were just trying to play according to the merit of the ball, and we kept stitching the partnership, which was, I think, when you're chasing a target like that, you need to keep stitching a big partnership, and that's what we did. Gill was fantastic on the other side, very much in control of his batting the entire innings, and to stay not out till the end was fantastic to see as well,” Rohit Sharma said as quoted by Cricbuzz, after the match.
He then talked about his knock and batting after the field spread after the 10 overs of powerplay.
“Yeah, again, that comes down to concentration. You've got to keep telling yourself that you do not throw it away, because here conditions are challenging, but that's where I wanted to just bring my experience of playing for so many years. You just don't want to give it away that easily; try and stay as much as possible in the game, and we knew that the pitch was good, and we needed big runs from the top order, and that's exactly what happened. We had a very good partnership at the top, and that pretty much sealed the game for us. 250-odd run partnership there. Like I said, it was amazing to watch Gill on the other side, and yeah, glad we could finish on the high,” Rohit explained.
He was also asked about what Ravindra Jadeja had suggested he do to celebrate his century.
“Yeah, he was asking me what that was about. I said, I'll tell you in the dressing room. It's for me. But he was quite innovative. He wanted me to come and slide and jump, and that's how he wanted me to celebrate. I said, " Man, after 50 overs of fielding and batting almost for 25-30 overs, I was never going to do that,” Rohit concluded.
India now leads the three-match ODI series 2-1, and the third and final ODI will be played in New Chandigarh on October 3.