Shai Hope struck an unbeaten century and Keemo Paul claimed five wickets as West Indies beat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday, levelling the five-match series at 2-2.
Hope made 102 not out off 50 balls as West Indies posted 247 for three. Sherfane Rutherford supported him with an unbeaten 49 off 26 deliveries, giving the visitors a formidable total despite India’s efforts to slow the scoring through the middle overs.
The result sets up a series decider in Bengaluru. Hope’s hundred was his third in T20 internationals, making him the first West Indies player to reach that mark. Paul also made history by becoming the first West Indies bowler to claim multiple five-wicket hauls in the format.
Hope has now remained unbeaten three times on the tour, and West Indies have won each of those matches. The visitors also secured their first successful defence of a total on the tour.
West Indies made an explosive start, reaching 79 for one in the powerplay. Jewel Andrew, brought into the side in place of Kamil Pooran, scored 21 before Axar Patel dismissed him.
Shimron Hetmyer then smashed 33 off 12 balls, while Hope kept the innings moving. When the captain took 19 runs from Naman Dhir’s over, West Indies had reached 109 for one after eight overs.
Prince Yadav removed Hetmyer, and India briefly slowed the scoring. Rovman Powell, after a run of low scores, added 24 off 17 balls to keep the innings on track.
Rutherford took charge late on, allowing Hope to accelerate again. Hope finished with four fours and nine sixes, reaching his hundred from 50 balls as West Indies scored 62 in the final four overs.
Sanju Samson gave India a flying start, smashing 56 off 23 balls as the hosts reached 50 without loss in three overs. West Indies turned the match around when Shimron Hetmyer took a boundary catch to dismiss Samson off Paul.
Ishan Kishan also fell, while Gudakesh Motie removed Abhishek Sharma and Naman Dhir in the same over. India were left needing to rebuild under mounting pressure.
Tilak Varma made 43 and Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 41, adding resistance after India slipped to 132 for five. Reddy’s two sixes in Shamar Joseph’s 16th over briefly revived the chase, leaving India needing 59 from the final four overs.
Shamar Springer delivered a disciplined 18th over before Paul returned to take three wickets in the 19th. India were all out for 223 in 19.3 overs, leaving West Indies with a 2-2 series scoreline and the chance to claim a landmark victory in the final match.
