West Indies captain Shai Hope overcame a groin injury to lead his team to a five-wicket victory over India in the third and final One Day International (ODI) held on Sunday in New Chandigarh. The win marked a record-breaking successful chase for the West Indies in the series decider.

After India was set back early in their innings, key performances from KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma helped the visitors recover to post a formidable total of 351 for seven wickets. Rahul remained unbeaten on a career-best 129, while Sharma contributed a brisk 92 runs. Their efforts propelled India to a commanding position, putting substantial pressure on the West Indies during the chase.

West Indies had previously never surpassed a target higher than 331 runs in a successful ODI run chase, a record set against Ireland in May 2019. However, Hope’s outstanding unbeaten innings of 162 runs off 143 balls redefined that benchmark. Batting despite his injury, Hope was compelled to open the innings following an injury to teammate Jewel Andrew. He managed to marshal the innings with a blend of patience and aggression, making crucial runs against an Indian bowling attack considered inexperienced.

Hope, who had also kept wicket during India’s innings, said that playing in Indian conditions and the presence of dew made chasing somewhat easier. Despite the discomfort caused by his groin injury, he remained focused throughout and said he was determined to “fight through till the end.” He credited a conversation with former Indian captain MS Dhoni, who advised him on pacing the innings under pressure, noting that “you always have more time than you think.”

The chase was closely contested in the final stages. Hope lost some fluency approaching his century due to limited mobility between the wickets but found renewed momentum with 56 runs required off the last five overs. He struck 40 runs from the remaining deliveries, securing the victory with 10 balls to spare.

India had already secured the series by winning the first two ODIs, making this win a consolation for the West Indies. Nonetheless, Hope’s performance was widely praised as a high-quality innings that showcased resilience and tactical skill under challenging circumstances.