India Chase 406 as Gill, Rohit Rewrite ODI Records

India produced one of the greatest run chases in ODI history in Guwahati, chasing down a massive 406-run target against West Indies and winning the second ODI by eight wickets.

West Indies had posted 405/7 in 50 overs, with John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo scoring centuries. Even on a batting-friendly surface, chasing more than 400 in an ODI is a huge challenge. Before this match, a 400-plus target had been successfully chased only once in ODI history.

India, however, made 406 look surprisingly achievable.

Led by a record-breaking double century from Shubman Gill and a brilliant hundred from Rohit Sharma, India reached 406/2 in just 43.3 overs, completing the chase with 39 balls remaining.

It is now the highest successful ODI run chase by India and the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.

Shubman Gill Creates History With 223*

Captain Shubman Gill produced an extraordinary innings when India needed it most.

Gill remained unbeaten on 223, the highest score of his ODI career. More importantly, he reached his double century in only 117 balls, breaking Ishan Kishan’s record for the fastest double century in ODI history.

Gill eventually finished with 223* and became only the second batter after Rohit Sharma to score multiple ODI double centuries.

There was another major record. His 223* is also the highest individual score by a captain in ODI history.

Gill has now scored two ODI double centuries at a remarkably young stage of his career. After scoring a century in the first ODI against West Indies, he went one step further with a double century in Guwahati.

Rohit Sharma Creates Another Six-Hitting Record

At the other end, Rohit Sharma showed once again why he remains such a dangerous ODI opener.

Rohit smashed 101 off 75 balls, reaching his century in just 72 deliveries. During the innings, he also completed 12,000 ODI runs.

Rohit reached the landmark in his 282nd ODI innings, becoming the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to enter the 12,000-run club.

It was also the 35th ODI century of Rohit’s career.

Rohit added another remarkable six-hitting record in Guwahati. He became the first player in ODI history to hit 200 sixes in a single country, reaching the landmark on Indian soil. Rohit already owns several major six-hitting records in international cricket, and this was another addition to that list.

Rohit and Gill added a massive 255 runs for the opening wicket, giving India exactly the start required in a chase of 406. It became the second-highest opening partnership for India in ODI cricket, only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s 258-run stand against Kenya in 2001.

By the time Rohit departed, West Indies were already under enormous pressure.

Virat Kohli Came Out With an Ultra-Aggressive Approach

Virat Kohli did not stay for long, but his approach showed India’s mindset.

With the required rate already under control, Kohli continued to attack rather than allowing West Indies back into the contest. He attempted an audacious ramp shot but was caught after a fine piece of fielding.

India still had complete control of the chase.

Gill stayed till the end, while Ruturaj Gaikwad helped complete one of India’s most memorable ODI victories.

Could India Have Chased 500?

Perhaps the most striking part of India’s victory was not simply that they chased 406, but how much time they had left.

India completed the chase in 43.3 overs, meaning 39 balls were still remaining.

At the scoring rate India maintained during the chase, another 39 balls could theoretically have taken the total close to the 500-run mark. Of course, a 500-run target would have created a completely different match situation and cannot be treated as a guaranteed chase.

But India’s dominance was such that, on this batting surface and with Gill still unbeaten, even a target around 500 did not look as unimaginable as it normally would.

That tells the story of just how extraordinary India’s batting performance was.

Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chases in ODI History

For almost two decades, South Africa’s famous 438/9 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006 stood alone as the only successful 400-plus chase in ODI cricket.

India have now joined that exclusive club.

Interestingly, India’s previous highest chase was the famous 362/1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013. That chase was completed in exactly 43.3 overs as well, with Rohit Sharma scoring an unbeaten 141 and Virat Kohli smashing a 52-ball hundred.

Thirteen years later, Rohit was again at the heart of India’s biggest-ever ODI chase.

A Big Statement Ahead of the World Cup

This victory is also significant with the ODI World Cup approaching.

Gill is in outstanding form, Rohit continues to produce major ODI innings at 39, and Kohli has also been among the runs. Gill followed his century in the first ODI with a double century in the second, while Rohit’s hundred added another reminder of his value at the top.

India’s batting depth will face tougher tests in different conditions, but chasing 406 in just 43.3 overs is a major statement of what this batting unit can do on a good surface.

A target that initially looked almost impossible was turned into a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

And if there was one message from Guwahati, it was simple: on a batting pitch, setting a huge total against this Indian batting line-up may still not be enough.