Shai Hope's Unbeaten 162 Powers West Indies to 5-Wicket Win, India's Lead Cut to 2-1

West Indies produced their best performance of the series to beat India by 5 wickets in the 3rd ODI at the PCA International Stadium, New Chandigarh, chasing down 352 with 10 balls in hand to reduce India's series lead to 2-1.

Put in to bat after India won the toss, the hosts were rocked early as Shubman Gill (1) and Virat Kohli (0) fell inside the first three overs to Jayden Seales. Rohit Sharma (92) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (57) steadied things with a 137-run stand, and KL Rahul then took over, smashing an unbeaten 129 off just 87 balls studded with 10 fours and 6 sixes. Late cameos from Naman Dhir (30) and Anshul Kamboj (17 off 9) pushed India to 351 for 7, with Seales finishing with 3 for 62.

Chasing a stiff target, West Indies lost John Campbell early for 10, but Shai Hope anchored the innings from the top, batting through to finish unbeaten on 162 off 143 balls, the highest score of the match. He found support from Amir Jangoo, who made a run-a-ball 67 before being run out, and then from Keemo Paul, whose 44 off 35 kept the required rate under control. Sherfane Rutherford (24) and Matthew Forde (7) chipped in before Gudakesh Motie's unbeaten 19 off 14 sealed the chase in 48.2 overs. India's bowling was shared around, with Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav and Naman Dhir all picking up a wicket apiece, but none of them could break Hope's grip on the innings.

With this result, India's lead in the five-match series is cut to 2-1 after West Indies bounced back strongly following heavy defeats in the first two games. Shai Hope's unbeaten 162 stands out as the standout individual effort of the series so far, and the momentum has clearly shifted ahead of the 4th ODI, where India will look to respond and close out the series.