Hyderabad: Keemo Paul claimed a five-wicket haul after Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten century as the West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International on Wednesday, levelling the five-match series 2-2 and setting up a series decider in Bengaluru.
After India elected to bowl, Hope powered the West Indies to a formidable 247/3 with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls. In reply, India managed 223/9 in 19.3 overs, with Paul returning impressive figures of 5/41 in four overs to derail the hosts’ chase.
The victory keeps the series alive, with both teams now preparing for the decisive fifth T20I scheduled for Saturday in Bengaluru.
Sanju Samson gives India an explosive start
India began the chase aggressively, with opener Sanju Samson taking the attack to the West Indies bowlers. Samson smashed 56 off just 23 deliveries, hitting six fours and four sixes as India raced to 60 without loss in the first four overs.
He reached his half-century in only 20 balls, putting the hosts in a strong position early in the innings.
However, Paul changed the course of the contest in the fifth over. He dismissed Samson, who was caught by Shimron Hetmyer, before removing Ishan Kishan for six off three deliveries. The double strike reduced India to 69/2 and gave the visitors a crucial breakthrough.
Shreyas Iyer attempted to stabilise the innings but fell for 16 off 11 balls to Shamar Springer. Abhishek Sharma scored 29 off 24 deliveries, including three fours and a six, but could not convert his start into a bigger contribution.
Gudakesh Motie strikes twice to put India under pressure
The West Indies continued to tighten their grip through Gudakesh Motie, who delivered a decisive double strike in the 12th over.
Motie dismissed Abhishek Sharma before removing Naman Dhir, who was stumped for a golden duck. His figures of 2/13 in two overs helped reduce India to 132/5 and put the hosts under considerable pressure.
With wickets falling at regular intervals, India needed a substantial partnership to remain in contention.
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy revive India’s hopes
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy mounted a spirited counterattack, briefly bringing India back into the contest with an aggressive partnership.
The pair added 59 runs off just 26 deliveries. Tilak scored 43 off 25 balls, while Reddy smashed 41 off 20 deliveries.
Reddy particularly targeted Shamar Joseph in the 16th over, hitting a four and two sixes in an over that yielded 21 runs. The assault took India to 189/5, keeping the required rate within reach and raising hopes of a late comeback.
However, Romario Shepherd broke the partnership in the 17th over when Tilak was dismissed, with Rovman Powell taking the catch.
Keemo Paul completes five-wicket haul
Paul returned to dismantle India’s lower order at a critical stage of the chase. He dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prince Yadav off successive deliveries before removing Axar Patel for three runs.
The wickets completed Paul’s five-wicket haul and left India struggling to keep pace with the target.
Paul finished with figures of 5/41 in four overs, recording his second five-wicket haul in T20 internationals. His previous five-wicket performance was 5/15 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2018.
India’s innings ended at 223/9 in 19.3 overs after Arshdeep Singh was struck on the left bicep by a sharp short delivery from Joseph in the final over. Arshdeep, who had scored five off four balls, left the field after receiving attention. The scorecard initially recorded him as retired out before the status was changed to retired hurt.
Shai Hope’s unbeaten century powers West Indies to 247
Earlier, Hope delivered a spectacular batting performance to lead the West Indies to 247/3 after India chose to bowl first.
The West Indies captain remained unbeaten on 102 off 50 balls, recording his third T20 International century and second hundred of the series. He completed the milestone by hitting a six off the final delivery of the innings.
Hope’s innings gave the visitors a commanding platform, with the West Indies racing to 79/1 in the powerplay. It was their joint-highest powerplay total against India in T20 internationals.
The visitors reached 100 in just 7.4 overs, matching the fastest team century against India in the format.
Sherfane Rutherford provides late fireworks
Sherfane Rutherford provided crucial support to Hope, finishing unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls. The pair added 91 runs in just 43 deliveries, ensuring that the West Indies maintained their scoring momentum through the latter stages.
Shimron Hetmyer contributed 33 off 12 balls, while Rovman Powell scored 24 off 17 deliveries.
The West Indies’ powerful batting display included 17 sixes and 17 extras, helping them post a challenging total of 247/3.
India’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs each.
India and West Indies prepare for series decider
The 24-run victory brought the West Indies level at 2-2 in the five-match series after India’s spirited chase fell short.
Hope’s century laid the foundation for the visitors’ imposing total, while Paul’s five-wicket haul ensured that India’s middle and lower order could not complete the chase despite the counterattack from Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
With the series now tied, the fifth T20 International in Bengaluru on Saturday will determine the winner. Both teams will enter the final match with the series honours at stake.