Ranchi: West Indies pulled off a remarkable six-wicket victory over India in the second T20I on Friday, chasing down a target of 250 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex to level the five-match series 1-1.

India had posted a formidable 249/5 after being asked to bat first, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with 82 off 41 balls. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma also contributed with aggressive innings to put the hosts in a strong position.

However, West Indies produced a stunning response, recovering from the loss of three early wickets through a match-turning partnership between captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. Rutherford smashed 84 off just 37balls, while Hope anchored the chase as the visitors completed the run chase with six wickets in hand. The result was reported as a successful pursuit of the 250-run target, bringing the series level after India’s win in the opening match.

Sanju Samson powers India to 249/5

India’s innings was built around Samson’s aggressive stroke play. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 82 runs from 41 deliveries, hitting nine fours and four sixes.

Samson benefited from two dropped catches during his innings and made the most of the opportunities to put pressure on the West Indies bowlers. He reached his half-century in just 21 balls, giving India a rapid start after the early loss of Abhishek Sharma.

Abhishek scored 20 off 12 balls before being caught off Roston Chase’s bowling. Samson continued to attack, while Ishan Kishan provided further momentum with a 43-run knock from 22 deliveries.

Kishan struck six fours and two sixes before Chase bowled him in the 12th over. Chase was West Indies’ most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 3/24.

India were 139/2 after Kishan’s dismissal and looked well placed to build a total beyond 240.

Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma accelerate

After Kishan departed, India lost Shivam Dube for seven off 10 balls, again to Chase, leaving the middle order with work to do.

Captain Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma responded with an explosive partnership. The pair added 83 runs from just 32 balls, taking the scoring rate sharply higher in the closing overs.

Iyer struck 40 off 18 deliveries, combining boundaries with powerful shots over the ropes. His innings helped India cross the 200-run mark and maintain the momentum created by Samson and Kishan.

Varma finished unbeaten on 44 from 18 balls. He launched a late assault on the West Indies attack, including three consecutive sixes off Shamar Springer in the final over.

India ended their 20 overs at 249/5, setting West Indies a target of 250. The total appeared imposing, but the visitors’ batters eventually turned the match around with an equally aggressive display.

Mayank Yadav strikes twice in the opening over

West Indies’ chase began disastrously as India fast bowler Mayank Yadav struck twice in his first over.

Kamil Pooran was caught by substitute fielder Ravi Bishnoi for four off two balls. Mayank then dismissed Shimron Hetmyer for a duck, bowling him with a delivery that took an inside edge onto the stumps.

At 5/2, West Indies were under immediate pressure in their pursuit of such a large target.

Rovman Powell joined Hope and helped stabilise the innings. Hope attacked the Indian bowlers, while Powell found boundaries to keep the required rate within reach.

Powell made 24 off 13 balls before Mayank bowled him with a delivery clocked at 149.5 kmph. West Indies were reduced to 58/3 in the sixth over, giving India another opportunity to take control.

Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turn the match

The decisive phase of the chase began when Rutherford joined Hope at the crease.

Rutherford attacked the Indian bowlers from the outset, combining powerful hitting with well-timed boundaries. He reached his half-century in only 24 balls, putting the home side’s bowling attack under mounting pressure.

Hope also accelerated, reaching his fifty with a six off Shivam Dube. The West Indies captain continued to find scoring opportunities as the pair began to dismantle India’s defence of the total.

The partnership eventually produced 120 runs from 54 balls, transforming the contest after the visitors had lost three wickets inside the Powerplay. Rutherford’s 84 from 37 deliveries included seven fours and seven sixes.

India missed a significant opportunity when Mayank dropped Rutherford at short fine leg off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling. The missed chance allowed the left-hander to continue his assault and added to the pressure on the Indian bowlers.

The partnership put West Indies back in contention and left India searching for a breakthrough at a crucial stage.

Kuldeep breaks the 120-run stand

Kuldeep Yadav eventually ended the partnership by dismissing Rutherford. The left-arm wrist-spinner bowled outside off stump, and Rutherford edged the ball through to wicketkeeper Samson.

Rutherford departed for 84 off 37 balls, bringing an end to one of the defining innings of the match.

The wicket gave India renewed hope, but the damage had already been done. Hope had remained at the centre of the chase, guiding the innings through the difficult opening phase and then accelerating alongside Rutherford.

West Indies continued to pursue the target after Rutherford’s dismissal, with the remaining batters needing to provide the finishing touches.

West Indies level the five-match series

West Indies completed the chase to secure a six-wicket win, turning a difficult position at 5/2 into a memorable victory. The result levelled the series at 1-1 after India had won the opening T20I.

The match showcased two outstanding batting performances. Samson’s 82 and the late acceleration from Iyer and Varma had helped India reach 249/5, but Hope and Rutherford’s partnership proved decisive in the chase.

For India, the dropped catch and the inability to break the Hope-Rutherford stand during its most destructive phase proved costly. West Indies, meanwhile, demonstrated how sustained aggression and a substantial partnership can overturn even a 250-run target.

The teams will now move into the third match with the series level, after West Indies’ successful run chase made the Ranchi encounter one of the standout contests of the series so far.