Guwahati: They came for one last Ro-Ko show. They got something much bigger.The Guwahati crowd braved the heat and humidity, filling Barsapara Cricket Stadium as the afternoon gave way to a pulsating evening, hoping to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli share the stage for perhaps the last time in India colours at this venue.Instead, Shubman Gill turned the night into his own.The India captain produced a breathtaking unbeaten 223 — his highest ODI score — to power India to their highest successful chase in the format, hunting down West Indies’ 405/7 with 39 balls to spare. By the time India reached 406/2, the crowd had witnessed more than 800 runs, three West Indies centuries, a Rohit milestone and one extraordinary Gill double century.The day-night match began with the stadium only around half full. But the anticipation steadily built, as did the crowd. By the time India began their chase, the stands were almost entirely occupied, with thousands waiting for the familiar sight of Rohit and Kohli together.Kohli, in particular, received the loudest roars. Every appearance near the boundary was greeted by a wave of noise, and he responded with his customary waves to the galleries.Rohit had his moment too.The opener struck his 35th ODI century and, in the process, crossed 12,000 runs in the format — joining Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli as the only Indians to reach the mark and becoming just the seventh batter in the world to do so.His dismissal immediately after reaching 101 produced perhaps the loudest cheer of the evening. Not because Rohit had fallen, but because Kohli appeared on the sideline, ready to walk in with India still needing 151.For a few minutes, the script seemed written for him.Kohli made 29 before attempting to guide a bouncer towards the boundary. Rutherford completed a fine catch at deep backward point, and Barsapara suddenly went quiet.Then Gill took over.Earlier, West Indies had provided the perfect opening act. John Campbell’s 101, captain Shai Hope’s 104 and Amir Jangoo’s 114 lifted them to 405/7, their highest ODI total. For the first time, three West Indies batters had scored centuries in the same ODI innings.The crowd had arrived expecting a final Ro-Ko dance.They got Rohit’s landmark, Kohli’s familiar presence, an 800-plus run festival and, above all, a spectacular new Guwahati memory — Shubman Gill standing unbeaten on 223 as India completed a chase that seemed daunting when the evening began.They came for the old stars. Gill made the night his own.
