Guwahati: Shubman Gill admitted he was physically exhausted but immensely proud after leading India to a record breaking chase of 406 against the West Indies in the second ODI on Wednesday.
Gill remained unbeaten after producing a historic double century, while Rohit Sharma added a commanding hundred as India chased down 405 with eight wickets in hand. The victory gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.
The West Indies had posted their highest ODI total of 405 for 7 after batting first. Despite the enormous target, India completed the chase in just 43.3 overs.
Gill acknowledged that the target initially created pressure, but India’s confidence increased rapidly once the team crossed 200 runs before the halfway stage.
India had set a target of reaching around 75 to 80 runs in the first 10 overs without losing wickets. The plan was to accelerate once the ball became older and easier to bat against.
Gill said the team had expected to reach around 200 to 210 runs by the 25th over but had moved well ahead of that mark. Once India crossed 230 to 240 runs, the pressure shifted firmly onto the West Indies.
The captain also admitted that India’s bowling had been below its best during the opening powerplay. The West Indies attacked aggressively and appeared capable of pushing beyond 420 at one stage. India, however, managed to restrict the damage during the final stages of the innings.
The physical demands of the match were also evident for Gill, who revealed that the afternoon heat had taken a major toll.
Despite the fatigue, Gill’s performance completed one of India’s most remarkable ODI chases. With the series already secured, he indicated that the team could consider giving opportunities to players who have not yet featured prominently in the series.
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