What Went Wrong for India Despite posting 351 ?
In the 3rd ODI between India and West Indies played on October 3, 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh , West Indies won by 5 wickets chasing down India's formidable total of 351/7 in 48.2 overs with 10 balls to spare . West Indies pulled off their highest ever ODI chase and denied India a clean sweep . India won the series 2-1 but the loss exposed serious issues before the World cup .
Match Summary :
India : 351 /7 ( 50 overs ) - KL Rahul 129 (87) , Rohit Sharma 92 ( 85) , Ruturaj Gaikwad 57 (69)
West Indies : 352/ 5 ( 48.2 overs ) - Shai Hope 162 ( 143 ) , Amir Jangoo 67 , Keemo Paul 44 .
Result : West won by 5 wickets
What Went Wrong for India ? Detailed Breakdown
Caption Shubman Gill Flags Fielding and Death Bowling Concerns
Captain Shubman Gill himself admitted two massive concerns after the loss . On fielding : " Our fielding could be better . We dropped around 6-7 catches . That is not good sign leading the World cup . On death bowling : " We need to work on our death bowling . We not clear whether we are attacking or defending , especially when we are bowling in death overs . One day such a game if the opposition is five or six down , you are never really sure what fields to take .
Complete Bowling Failure & Expensive Pace Attack
Defending 351 should create scoreboard pressure but India's blowers consistently missed their lengths and use defensive fields . Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj was highly expensive , conceding 82 runs in 9 overs without a wicket . Main bowler Mohammed Siraj also failed to stem the flow at an economy of 6.50.
Inability to Break Shai Hope's Anchored Innings
India had no answers for West Indies caption Shai Hope who smashed a match winning unbeaten 162 off 143 balls ( 17 fours , 3 sixes ) It was his second consecutive hundred after the 2nd ODI . Hope credited MS Dhoni 's advice " I had great chat with the great man MS Dhoni and he was telling me always have more time than you think ".
Lack of Wicket Taking Edge in Middle overs
Key spinner Kuldeep Yadav was kept quiet , returning 1/62 in 10 overs . India's inability to take wickets in clusters allowed West Indies to build critical partnerships , including Hope's stand with Jangoo and others .
The Pitch Report and Dew Factor
The track at New Chandigarh was an absolute batting highway with zero assistance for bowlers . There was no swing for pacers or turn for spinners with consistent bounce . Being a day/ night game heavy dew in the second innings made ball wet and slippery making it impossible to grip and execute yorkers .
Flop Show
Shubman Gill failed for 1 off 6 balls and Virat Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck (0 off 1 ball ) . This prevented India from potentially reaching 380 + , which would have changed the dynamic of the chase .
Final Verdict
On flat highways , 351 is not safe if you drop 6-7 catches and have no clarity in death bowling . This loss is wake up call for Team India before the World cup.