West Indies opener Chris Gayle played a magnificent knock of 215 against Zimbabwe in the Pool B match played in Canberra. It was the D-Day for Chris Gayle who gave a befitting reply to his critics and doubters. The explosive West Indian cricketer slammed the most powerful knock and smashed many world records on his way to hit the first double ton in ODIs. The batsman hit 16 mega sixes and 10 boundaries during his 147-ball knock. It was a relishing treat for the cricket lovers worldwide.

Chris Gayle smashes first double hundred in Cricket World Cup

West Indies scored 373 runs after their 50-overs quota. Rain had interrupted the play for a while but could not spoil the party. Zimbabwe were given a revised target of 363 runs from 48 overs, but they were bundled out for 289 runs only. And thus West Indies successfully won the match by 73 runs under D/L method.

The consecutive victories of the West Indies against Pakistan and Zimbabwe have now brought them closer to make it to the Quarter finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The start of their campaign was not well as the team swallowed a humiliating defeat in the hands of Ireland in their very first world cup clash. However, it seems they are now getting the momentum to carry it forward.

Earlier, West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first. Having lost the right handed Dwayne Smith (0) in the very first over, West Indian team recovered well. It was cautious Marlon Samuels who played steadily while ensuring that Gayle would take the big shots. The rest is history, as the duo amassed a staggering 372-run partnership which came to an end only at the last delivery of the West Indian inning.

Its Chris Gayle all the way – Record Corner

• Gayle is the first non-Indian to score double hundred in an ODI. He also scored first double hundred (highest individual score) in the world cup.
• Gayle’s 16 sixes is the highest in an ODI inning. He shares the record with AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma.
• Gayle’s 372-run partnership with Marlon Samuels is the highest ODI partnership ever.

Although, it was the left handed Carribean opener who stole the show but calm and composed Samuels also played his part well from the other end. The right handed batsman scored 133 not out with 11 fours and 3 sixes in his 156-ball knock. The target was huge but Zimbabwe tried its best too. Sean Williams (76), Craig Ervine (52) and Brendan Taylor (37) showed some of their batting prowess before the team got bowled out for 289 in the 45th over.

Tags: Chris Gayle, Cricket World Cup, CWC 2015, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Marlon Samuels, ODI, West Indies, Zimbabwe