Historic ODI Performance: West Indies Achieve Unprecedented Batting Feat
West Indies Make History at Barsapara Stadium
In a remarkable display of batting prowess, the West Indies showcased their talent at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Assam, on September 30. For the first time in ODI history, three players from the Caribbean reached the century mark in a single inning, thrilling fans with their diverse styles of play.
The innings kicked off with an explosive performance from opener John Campbell, who scored a blistering 101 runs off just 68 balls, featuring nine fours and five sixes, achieving a strike rate exceeding 148. Campbell's century broke the record for the fastest ODI hundred by a West Indies player against India, previously held by the legendary Viv Richards, who reached his century in 72 balls back in 1983.
Campbell's half-century came in a mere 29 balls, surpassing Chris Gayle's record for the fastest fifty against India, set in 2002, long before the advent of T20 cricket. His century ranks as the fifth-fastest by a West Indies player, with Brian Lara's 45-ball century against Bangladesh in 1999 still holding the record.
Following Campbell, captain Shai Hope contributed a more composed 104 runs off 94 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, with a strike rate of over 110. This marked Hope's 20th ODI century, placing him second among West Indies players, behind Gayle's 25 centuries.
Amir Jangoo, a 29-year-old talent from Trinidad, then added to the tally with a stunning 114 runs off 77 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes, also achieving a strike rate above 148. His performance delighted fans with a blend of traditional and modern cricketing shots.
This historic achievement marked the first instance of three West Indies players scoring centuries in a single ODI inning and only the sixth occurrence globally, with South Africa achieving this feat three times.
The West Indies' collective effort propelled them to their highest ODI total ever, surpassing their previous record of 389 against England in 2019. They finished their innings at 405/7, leaving Indian bowlers Gurnoor Brar, debutant Auqib Nabi, and Ravindra Jadeja struggling against the onslaught.
This match also marked the third occasion India has conceded over 400 runs on home soil, following South Africa's 438/4 in 2015 and Sri Lanka's 411/8 in 2009.