Shubman Gill’s 117-ball double century: how India chased 406 to seal the series

Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 223 as India chased 406 to beat West Indies by eight wickets in Guwahati on September 30, securing the three-match ODI series with a game to spare. His double century came from 117 balls, a milestone AFP describes as the fastest in men’s ODI cricket.

The striking detail is how much time India had left: they reached 406/2 in 43.3 overs, with 39 legal deliveries remaining. Gill faced 133 balls across his completed innings; 117 was the number he needed to reach 200. Rohit Sharma’s 101 and their 255-run opening partnership set up the finish.

Our earlier explainer unpacked Gill’s 117-ball milestone and 133-ball innings. The completed match brings the wider outcome into focus: West Indies’ 405/7 was not enough, and India’s 2-0 lead means the final ODI can no longer change the series winner.

How Gill and Rohit built the 406-run chase

India’s openers put on 255 before Jayden Seales dismissed Rohit lbw. Rohit had made 101 from 75 deliveries, leaving India with 151 runs still required and nine wickets available. Gill remained at the crease as the chase moved beyond its opening partnership.

Gill’s final innings included 26 fours and eight sixes, according to Cricket World’s completed scorecard. Those boundaries accounted for 152 of his 223 runs. News Ei Samay and Mumbai Indians both report that he was named Player of the Match.

Why 117 balls and 133 balls are both correct

The two figures measure different points in the same innings. Gill reached the double-century landmark after facing 117 deliveries, then continued batting until India won. His final unbeaten score was 223 from 133 balls. Using that final ball count to describe the speed of his double hundred would mix up the milestone with the whole innings.

AFP and Mumbai Indians describe the 117-ball effort as the fastest double hundred in men’s ODIs. For the historical comparison, the ICC’s account of Ishan Kishan’s innings against Bangladesh on December 10, 2022 records him reaching 200 in 126 balls. Gill’s reported milestone took nine fewer deliveries.

The final score carried a separate significance. AFP reports that Gill’s 223 surpassed his previous ODI best of 208. Mumbai Indians identifies the innings as his second ODI double hundred, joining Rohit as a batter with more than one in men’s ODIs.

A double hundred in a chase was not itself unprecedented. The ICC recorded Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan on November 7, 2023 as the first in a men’s ODI run chase. That distinction is separate from how quickly a batter reaches 200.

How West Indies reached 405 — and what Hope said

West Indies had three century-makers: John Campbell scored 101, captain Shai Hope 104 and Amir Jangoo 114. Together, they contributed 319 runs. Mumbai Indians’ match account records a 110-run second-wicket partnership between Campbell and Hope, followed by 182 between Hope and Jangoo.

Their innings ended on 405/7 after 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Gurnoor Singh Brar each took two wickets. India’s reply brought the combined match total to 811 runs, with five individual centuries across the two teams.

Afterwards, Hope said “the margin for error is so slim” and that West Indies “could have been a little bit tighter with the ball”, according to IANS. His assessment focused on the bowling after his side’s three hundreds had established the target.

IANS also reports that Hope praised his batting group’s consistency. He explained that keeping wickets available for the closing overs was deliberate, with India’s spinners regarded as the main threat. On delaying debutant Vitel Lawes’ introduction with the ball, Hope cited the match situation and a wish to ease him into difficult conditions in India.

What the result means for India’s series

AFP ranks India’s chase as the second-highest successful chase in men’s ODIs, behind South Africa’s 438/9 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006. That is a team achievement distinct from Gill’s individual score and the speed of his double century.

India now hold an unassailable 2-0 advantage. AFP reports that the third ODI is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, in New Chandigarh. West Indies can still win that match, but the series has already been decided by India’s victory in Guwahati.