Hope’s Ton Powers West Indies to Series-levelling Win Over India

Captain smashes unbeaten 102 as visitors post 247-3 before Paul’s five-wicket haul restricts India to 223, levelling T20I series 2-2

Sports Desk

HYDERABAD: West Indies produced a breathtaking batting display and followed it with a decisive bowling performance to defeat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International on Wednesday, levelling the five-match series 2-2 and setting up a thrilling decider.

Captain Shai Hope led from the front with a magnificent unbeaten century, while Keemo Paul ripped through India’s batting line-up with a five-wicket haul as the visitors defended a formidable total of 247-3 at Hyderabad.

Hope smashed 102 not out off just 50 balls, striking four boundaries and nine sixes at a staggering strike rate of 204.00 to lay the foundation for one of the most explosive innings of the series. Sherfane Rutherford provided the perfect finishing touch with an unbeaten 49 off 26 deliveries, helping West Indies finish with 247 at an imposing run rate of 12.35.

India, chasing 248 for victory, fought back through aggressive contributions from Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy but were eventually bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs.

Paul was the chief architect of the West Indies victory, claiming five wickets for 41 runs in four overs to dismantle the Indian middle and lower order at crucial moments.

Samson gave India a flying start, smashing 56 off only 23 balls, including six fours and four sixes. His blistering innings kept the hosts firmly in the chase during the powerplay, with India racing to 80-2 in the first six overs.

Abhishek Sharma contributed 29 off 24 balls, while Tilak Varma struck 43 from 25 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy added further firepower with 41 off just 20 balls, hitting four sixes.

However, India's hopes of completing a successful chase suffered a major setback as Paul repeatedly struck at decisive moments. He dismissed Samson and Ishan Kishan early before returning to remove Reddy, Axar Patel and Prince Yadav, preventing India from building the late momentum needed to overhaul the target.

Gudakesh Motie also played a crucial role, taking two wickets for just 13 runs in his two overs, while Shamar Springer claimed one wicket. Earlier, West Indies overcame the loss of opener Jewel Andrew, who scored 21 off 16 balls, to launch an extraordinary assault on India's bowling attack.

Hope anchored the innings with authority, combining controlled strokeplay with powerful hitting. Shimron Hetmyer accelerated the scoring with a blistering 33 off just 12 balls, including four fours and two sixes, while Rovman Powell contributed 24 from 17 deliveries. Rutherford then joined Hope to ensure the visitors maintained their relentless scoring rate through the closing overs. The pair's unbeaten partnership propelled West Indies to 247-3, leaving India with a daunting chase.

India's bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies onslaught, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs apiece in their four overs. Axar Patel gave away 45 runs, while Prince Yadav took one wicket for 36.

Despite India's spirited response, the West Indies bowling attack proved more effective under pressure, securing a significant victory that restored parity in the series. With the contest now level at 2-2, the fifth and final T20I will decide the series, with both sides entering the decider after contrasting performances in a high-scoring encounter that underlined the West Indies' explosive batting power and ability to deliver when it mattered most.