Source: NDTV Sports

Mullanpur bore witness to a compelling blend of cricketing drama and dominance as India, already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, marched towards a clean sweep against a struggling West Indies side in the third and final ODI on October 3, 2026. What began with early jitters for the hosts transformed into a monumental total, powered by a breathtaking century from KL Rahul, punctuated by moments of individual brilliance, fielding woes, and even a comical scare that had captain Rohit Sharma in splits.

India’s Rollercoaster Innings: From Collapse to Colossal Total

Having won the toss and elected to bat at the PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A, New Chandigarh, India’s innings had a nightmarish start. Debutant Anshul Kamboj received his cap from Virat Kohli, setting a hopeful tone, but the batting lineup faced an immediate reality check. Jayden Seales, the West Indies’ paceman, quickly dismantled India’s top order, removing Shubman Gill (1) and Virat Kohli (0) off consecutive deliveries in the third over, leaving India reeling at a precarious 4/2. This early collapse, particularly the dismissal of Kohli for a first-ball duck, sent a wave of shock through the stadium.

However, the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied the ship. Rohit, the veteran opener, showed immense resilience. After surviving a close LBW shout and a DRS review that showed the ball impacting high on his pad, he began to rebuild. He showcased glimpses of his vintage best, unfurling a beautiful cut shot and dispatching Vitel Lawes for the first maximum of the innings. He reached a well-composed half-century in 58 balls, underlining his enduring hunger and class. Gaikwad, too, capitalized on multiple lifelines, including a ‘sitter’ dropped by Shai Hope and another costly miss by Lawes that gifted him a six. The right-hander completed his half-century in 64 balls, a testament to his perseverance.

Their partnership was crucial in navigating the choppy waters. Rohit, however, missed out on a deserved century, falling for 92 off 85 balls (10 fours, 3 sixes) when he edged a pull shot off Keemo Paul. Gaikwad followed soon after for 57 off 69 balls (1 four, 4 sixes), caught after an extra bounce off Seales. India, at 160/4, needed another strong push.

Enter KL Rahul. The stylish right-hander, known for his ability to accelerate, delivered a masterclass. From the moment he stepped in, Rahul looked set, bringing up his half-century in a brisk 41 balls. He then shifted gears dramatically, ensuring the scoring rate remained high despite the loss of Naman Dhir (30 off 21, including a classy first international boundary for the debutant) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (9). Rahul’s late-innings assault was nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a century off just 80 balls with a towering six over fine leg. His final flourish was immense, plundering two sixes and a four off Keemo Paul in the last over to propel India past the 350-run mark. His unbeaten 129 off just 87 balls (10 fours, 6 sixes) was instrumental in taking India to a formidable 351/7. Anshul Kamboj also contributed a quickfire 17 off 9 balls, including two sixes, before being run out in an entertaining cameo.

West Indies’ Valiant Chase: Hope and Jangoo Lead the Charge

Chasing a mammoth 352 for victory, the West Indies knew they needed an extraordinary effort, especially given their recent record of losing 12 of their last 13 ODIs. Their innings began aggressively, with John Campbell striking two boundaries in Mohammed Siraj’s first over. Despite a dropped catch by Gurnoor Brar that handed Campbell a life, Siraj eventually broke the opening stand, bowling Campbell for 10. The score stood at 41/1, but the visitors were undeterred.

The second-wicket partnership between Amir Jangoo and Shai Hope became the cornerstone of their chase. Both batsmen exhibited excellent temperament and stroke play, quickly finding their rhythm. Hope, promoted to No. 2, notched up his half-century in 46 balls, demonstrating his class and making the most of the opportunity. Jangoo, who had already displayed superb form in the series (scores of 58* and 114), also brought up another fluent fifty, continuing his impressive run. The duo built a formidable 103-run stand for the second wicket, taking West Indies past the 100-run mark and firmly putting them in contention.

The partnership, however, was broken dramatically by a moment of brilliance from India’s fielders. Virat Kohli, initially misfielding, quickly recovered to throw the ball to the non-striker’s end, where Naman Dhir completed the run-out of Amir Jangoo for a well-made 67 off 56 balls. This breakthrough came at a crucial juncture, with West Indies still needing a significant effort but having established a strong base at 150/2. Shai Hope continued to anchor the chase, battling towards his nineties, with Sherfane Rutherford joining him at the crease and contributing with a few quick runs, including a lucky boundary through fine leg. At 199/2 after 28 overs, the West Indies were keeping pace, but the asking rate remained challenging.

Drama on the Field: Injuries, Near-Misses, and Rohit’s Banter

The match wasn’t just about runs and wickets; it was sprinkled with moments of high drama and light-hearted banter. One such incident involved Mohammed Siraj and Gurnoor Brar. While attempting a run-out, Brar’s throw narrowly missed Siraj’s head as the pacer was down on the ground. The moment left Siraj visibly ‘shocked,’ but captain Rohit Sharma, ever the character, found the humour in the situation, laughing heartily from the other end. This unexpected near-miss added a touch of levity to an otherwise intense contest.

Later in the innings, Gurnoor Brar himself had to walk off the field due to pain, leading to a brief delay as physios attended to him. Nitish Kumar Reddy completed Brar’s over. India’s fielding also had its share of ups and downs, with multiple dropped catches (Campbell, Jangoo, Rahul) offering lifelines to the West Indies batters. Conversely, India’s bowlers had their moments of frustration, with a review for a Shai Hope catch proving ‘not out’ after replays showed the ball bouncing before KL Rahul could complete the grab.

A Series of Statements: India’s Dominance and West Indies’ World Cup Woes

This match, the third in the series, was a clear reflection of the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. For India, it was about consolidating their dominant position and showcasing their formidable squad depth. The performances of debutants like Anshul Kamboj and Naman Dhir, along with the consistent brilliance of established stars like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, signal a strong future for Indian cricket. The ability to bounce back from an early collapse and post a 350+ total underscores their resilience and batting firepower.

For the West Indies, the series highlights their ongoing struggles. Their poor record, including losing 12 of the last 13 ODIs, paints a grim picture. With the team facing the prospect of World Cup qualifiers for next year’s tournament in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, their inability to consistently compete against top-tier opposition raises significant concerns. Despite the commendable fight shown by Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo in this match, individual brilliance often wasn’t enough to overcome systemic challenges. This series serves as a crucial wake-up call for the Caribbean side as they look to rebuild and reclaim their former glory on the international stage.

In conclusion, the third ODI between India and West Indies was a captivating encounter, delivering both high-scoring cricket and moments of unforgettable drama. While India solidified their status as a formidable force, the West Indies showed glimpses of their potential, albeit needing significant improvements to consistently challenge the best.

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Disclaimer: Cricket Mantra builds on reporting from NDTV Sports for this story, adding independent analysis and broader context for readers.