West Indies leveled the five-match T20I series 2-2 after securing a hard-fought 24-run victory against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Captain Shai Hope led from the front with a magnificent unbeaten century, propelling the visitors to a formidable total of 247/3. Despite a blistering fifty from Sanju Samson and a late counter-attack, India fell short in their run chase, finishing at 223/9 in 19.3 overs after Arshdeep Singh retired hurt.
- Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 102 runs from 50 balls, featuring four boundaries and nine sixes.
- Keemo Paul registered brilliant bowling figures of 5/41 to derail India’s middle and lower order.
- Sanju Samson smashed a rapid 56 runs off just 22 deliveries to keep India in the hunt.
- The series-deciding fifth T20I will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Match Innings And Record Partnership
Put into bat first, the visitors capitalized on a batting-friendly surface in Hyderabad. Captain Shai Hope anchored the innings with immense composure, reaching his second century of the T20I leg. Useful contributions at the top from Jewel Andrew and a quickfire 33 from Shimron Hetmyer helped the team cross the 100-run mark inside eight overs. The West Indies batting lineup maintained a relentless scoring rate throughout the innings, posing a massive target of 248 runs for the hosts to chase under lights.
India’s Valiant Run Chase And Late Collapse
In response, India made a lightning-fast start as Sanju Samson dismantled the bowling attack with four fours and four sixes during his 22-ball knock. However, the introduction of Keemo Paul changed the course of the match as the bowler struck crucial blows to dismantle the chase. A spirited 70-run partnership between Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy revived Indian hopes, but regular wickets at the backend ensured the visitors bowled out the remaining resistance and sealed the win.
