Ranchi: West Indies captain Shai Hope produced a stunning unbeaten century to lead his team to a six-wicket victory over India in the second T20 International at the JSCA International Stadium Complex on Friday, October 9. The visitors chased down a formidable target of 250 runs to record their highest successful T20I chase against India and one of the biggest run chases in the history of the format.

Hope scored an unbeaten 102 off just 45 balls as West Indies reached 252 for four in 18.3 overs. His explosive innings, supported by Sherfane Rutherford’s 84 and Romario Shepherd’s late assault, helped the visitors level the five-match series at 1-1 after India had won the opening match in Lucknow.

The result was particularly remarkable because West Indies lost two wickets in the opening over and were under immediate pressure. Hope and Rutherford turned the contest around with an extraordinary partnership that left the Indian bowlers struggling to contain the scoring rate.

Shai Hope leads West Indies with unbeaten 102

Hope anchored the historic chase with a remarkable combination of timing, power and composure. His 102 not out came off 45 deliveries and included six fours and nine sixes.

The West Indies skipper reached his half-century in just 24 balls, putting India’s bowling attack under pressure during the middle overs. He continued to find the boundary regularly and ensured the required run rate remained within reach even as the target crossed 200.

Hope’s innings was another example of his strong form against India. He had scored consecutive centuries during the preceding ODI series before registering a half-century in the first T20I. His century in Ranchi further underlined his importance to the West Indies batting line-up.

The captain finished the chase in emphatic fashion, launching Axar Patel over the boundary to bring up his second T20I century and seal a memorable victory for the visitors.

Sherfane Rutherford adds explosive support

While Hope controlled the chase, Rutherford supplied the attacking force that changed the direction of the match. The left-handed batter scored 84 off 37 balls, hitting seven fours and seven sixes.

Rutherford joined Hope after India had made an early breakthrough and helped rebuild the innings with aggressive stroke play. The pair targeted the Indian spin attack, which found it difficult to grip the ball amid heavy dew.

Their partnership for the fourth wicket produced 120 runs from just 54 deliveries. It transformed a difficult chase into a realistic possibility and shifted the pressure onto India.

Rutherford reached his half-century in only 24 balls, matching Hope’s aggressive approach. India also missed an important opportunity when Mayank Yadav dropped Rutherford on 38 off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling. The missed chance proved costly as the batter continued to score rapidly.

After Rutherford departed, Shepherd added another burst of power with 34 off 13 balls. His late hitting helped West Indies collect 41 runs across the 17th and 18th overs, bringing the target within easy reach before Hope completed the chase.

India post 249 after Sanju Samson’s return to form

Earlier, India put up a formidable total of 249 for five after being asked to bat. Sanju Samson led the scoring with a blistering 82, providing the hosts with the platform for a potentially match-winning total.

Samson had endured a difficult run of low scores but responded with an aggressive innings that included a rapid half-century off 21 balls. He combined with Ishan Kishan to build a 97-run partnership from 43 deliveries.

Kishan contributed 43 off 22 balls, helping India race to 139 for one in 11 overs. The pair attacked the West Indies bowlers from the outset, keeping the scoring rate above 12 runs per over during their partnership.

However, off-spinner Roston Chase interrupted India’s momentum with wickets in successive overs. Kishan was bowled while attempting to play across the line, while Shivam Dube also fell after struggling to get going.

Samson’s innings ended in the 15th over when his attempted ramp shot was caught by Kamil Pooran. India lost three wickets for 23 runs during the middle phase, briefly slowing their progress.

Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma provide a late surge

India’s captain Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma restored the momentum with an explosive partnership in the closing overs.

Iyer, who had scored a maiden T20I century in the opening match in Lucknow, continued his strong form with 40 off 18 balls. Tilak remained unbeaten on 44 from just 18 deliveries.

The pair added 83 runs in only 32 balls, ensuring India finished with their highest-ever T20I total against West Indies. Their aggressive approach pushed the score close to 250 and appeared to give the hosts a strong chance of defending it.

Tilak also crossed the milestone of 5,000 runs in T20 cricket during his innings. His contribution, combined with Iyer’s late acceleration, meant India had scored heavily despite losing wickets in the middle overs.

Yet even a total of 249 proved insufficient as West Indies produced an exceptional batting performance in reply.

Mayank Yadav strikes early but India cannot hold on

India appeared to have gained control when Mayank Yadav struck twice in successive deliveries, dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. His pace, regularly exceeding 140 kmph, gave the hosts an early advantage and left West Indies facing a difficult situation.

However, Hope and Rutherford refused to allow the early setbacks to dictate the contest. They attacked the spinners and exploited the conditions, particularly the heavy dew that made bowling and gripping the ball challenging.

India struggled to break the partnership once the two batters settled. The missed chance to dismiss Rutherford added to the pressure, while Shepherd’s late assault further exposed the difficulties faced by the bowling attack.

The defeat will raise questions about India’s ability to defend big totals under challenging conditions, particularly when dew reduces the effectiveness of their spinners.

West Indies level series ahead of Indore match

The victory gives West Indies renewed confidence after their defeat in the opening T20I. Hope’s leadership and the team’s ability to recover from early wickets will be major positives as they prepare for the remaining matches.

For India, Samson’s return to form and the contributions from Iyer and Tilak offer encouragement. However, the inability to defend 249 will be a concern for the team management, especially with the bowling attack failing to contain the middle and lower-middle order.

The third T20I is scheduled to be played in Indore on Sunday, October 11. With the series level at 1-1, both teams will look to gain the advantage as the contest moves forward.

Hope’s century and Rutherford’s explosive knock have already made the Ranchi encounter one of the most memorable matches of the series. West Indies will hope to carry that momentum into the next game, while India will seek a stronger response with the ball.