India made a flying start to their chase of 406 against West Indies in the second ODI in Guwahati on Wednesday, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting together a dominant unbeaten partnership. India reached 172/0 after 18.1 overs, leaving them 234 runs away from the target with 191 balls remaining. Rohit was unbeaten on 81 off 59 balls, while Gill had moved to 82 not out from 53 deliveries as the Indian openers kept the West Indies bowlers under sustained pressure.

The opening pair accelerated steadily after negotiating the initial overs, with Gill in particular taking the attack to the bowlers. The Indian captain reached 80 in the 17th over before continuing his aggressive scoring, while Rohit also moved rapidly through the 80s. Their partnership gave India a strong platform in a chase that initially appeared demanding after West Indies posted a massive 405/7 from their 50 overs. With both batters settled at the crease, India maintained a required rate of 7.35 runs per over at the latest update.

West Indies had earlier produced a powerful batting performance after India won the toss and chose to field. Opener John Campbell provided the foundation with a century, reaching three figures from 65 balls, while Shai Hope also made a substantial contribution. Campbell’s attacking innings helped West Indies race through the powerplay and establish a strong platform before India managed to make further inroads. The visitors continued to score freely through the middle overs and eventually finished with more than 400 runs.

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The West Indies total was built on a series of important partnerships, with Campbell and Hope playing central roles in the first half of the innings. Campbell struck nine fours and five sixes during his hundred, while Hope also brought up his 33rd ODI fifty. The batting-friendly conditions at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium allowed the West Indies batters to maintain a high scoring rate, putting India under pressure before the chase began. The venue has historically produced high-scoring matches, adding to expectations of an aggressive second innings.

For India, the chase has also provided a significant opportunity for Rohit Sharma, who entered the match under considerable attention following an inconsistent run of form. He had scored 32 from 35 balls in the first ODI, but his innings in Guwahati has been far more authoritative. His unbeaten 81 has come at a strike rate of more than 137, while Gill has complemented him with an even faster 82 from 53 balls. Their partnership has ensured that India have remained comfortably ahead of the required rate during the early stages of the chase.

India had won the opening ODI after chasing down West Indies’ total, with Gill and Virat Kohli scoring centuries in that match. The hosts are now attempting to build on that result and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. West Indies, meanwhile, need wickets quickly to prevent Rohit and Gill from carrying the chase deep into the innings. With more than 230 runs still required, the match remains open, but India’s unbeaten opening stand has given them considerable momentum at the latest update.

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