A breathtaking exhibition of power hitting from Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma propelled India into the record books during the second one-day international against West Indies in Guwahati. Chasing an imposing target of 406, the hosts dismantled the bowling attack to race past the 300 run threshold in a staggering 29.1 overs, becoming the very first side in the history of fifty-over cricket to touch the mark inside thirty overs.
Surpassing South Africa's Two-Decade Milestone
The previous benchmark for the fastest team triple hundred in one-day internationals belonged to South Africa, who reached the milestone in 32.2 overs during their unforgettable 2006 encounter against Australia in Johannesburg. India eclipsed that legendary achievement by nineteen deliveries. In the broader all-time standings, England sit in third position courtesy of their 33.1-over blitz against Australia back in 2018, while India's previous best had come against Sri Lanka in 2009 after taking 34.1 overs.
Opening Barrage Sets the Chase Ablaze
West Indies had earlier mounted a daunting total of 405 after taking first strike, leaving the hosts needing relentless momentum right from the outset. Rohit Sharma took charge during the fielding restrictions, launching an audacious assault that included back-to-back sixes off a Keemo Paul no-ball and the resulting free hit. Rohit brought up his half-century in just 34 deliveries.
At the opposite end, captain Shubman Gill adopted a watchful stance during the initial ten overs before shifting through the gears. The pair raised their century stand inside the twelfth over, marking their ninth three-figure opening alliance in 44 ODI innings. Maintaining a relentless run rate, India crossed the 200 mark in 21.1 overs, establishing their fastest-ever team double hundred in fifty-over history.
Centuries by Gill and Rohit Seal the Record
Both openers converted their starts into destructive hundreds. Rohit reached triple figures off 72 balls, registering his second-fastest ODI century following his 63-ball effort against Afghanistan in 2023. His departure in the 27th over for a 75-ball 101 ended a match-defining partnership of 255 runs with Gill.
Unfazed by his partner's exit, Gill unleashed complete dominance. The skipper completed his hundred in 62 deliveries, registering the fastest ODI century by an Indian batter against the West Indies. He then sped to 150 runs in merely 89 deliveries, shattering the national record held by Ishan Kishan, who had taken 103 balls to reach the mark against Bangladesh in 2022. Joined by Virat Kohli, Gill continued the onslaught, punishing Jayden Seales for a boundary and a maximum in the 29th over before dispatching Vitell Loss to the fence off the very first ball of the 30th over to secure the historic world record.
