West Indies leveled the T20I series against India with a 24-run victory in a high-scoring fourth match at Hyderabad. This result marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time the Caribbean side successfully defended a total against India on Indian soil after six prior attempts. The match was defined by Shai Hope’s masterful unbeaten 102 off 50 balls and a clinical bowling performance led by Keemo Paul, who claimed 5 for 41. Later, Keemo Paul’s clever changeups at the back end derailed India’s chase. Crunching a clean six off Arshdeep Singh’s second ball, the teenager kickstarted West Indies’ boundary fest. Accessing the ‘V’ like he always does, and using his wrists and timing to hoick balls on the leg-side, hope was ruthless to anything too full and hittable.
Batting first on a surface that provided little help to bowlers, the West Indies reached 247/3. The innings began with intent as Hope and Jewel Andrew took advantage of an unchanged Indian attack. A strong start saw the visitors reach 79 for 1 during the Powerplay—their highest against India in the format. Hope dominated the middle overs, while Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell maintained the momentum. Sherfane Rutherford added a crucial 49 to the tally, ensuring the team surged past 200. Mayank Yadav struggled to maintain control, and India’s fielding faltered late, highlighted by missed chances that allowed Hope to reach his century on the final delivery. But West Indies’ bowlers snatched control at separate points in India’s pursuit of 247, giving a rare win for a team defending a total on this tour, the newly laid Hyderabad pitch laid out another run-filled story. And Hope quickly leaned into his red-hot form to unfurl his fourth ton of this tour, a 17-run over set the tempo. But overdid it at times: one particular bouncer flew over Samson’s head, mayank Yadav tried to pepper them with early pace. With a patchy outfield, West Indies relied heavily on clearing the boundary, racing to 79 for 1 – their highest T20I Powerplay score against India. But Shimron Hetmyer took little time to get going, picking out an under-the-pump Arshdeep Singh’s slot offerings, axar Patel’s entry in the Powerplay gave India a breakthrough.
India’s pursuit started aggressively, with Sanju Samson leading a rapid charge that saw the hosts reach 50/0 within three overs, despite Abhishek Sharma struggling to find his rhythm. However, the game shifted when the West Indies seamers began utilizing pace variations on the dry pitch. Keemo Paul struck immediately, removing a set batter with a short ball that set the tone for a middle-order collapse. India’s middle order, including Abhishek Sharma who scored 29 off 24, Shreyas Iyer with 16, and Naman Dhir who fell for a first-ball duck, struggled to time the ball as the West Indies bowlers tightened their grip.
Though Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Reddy provided a temporary resurgence with a 70-run stand off 32 balls, the required run rate proved insurmountable once both fell. India’s inability to capitalize on short-pitched bowling—managing just 32 runs off 31 such deliveries—ultimately stalled their momentum. Keemo Paul’s late-game discipline, supported by Gudakesh Motie’s restrictive figures of 2 for 13, ensured the hosts finished on 223/9 in 19.3 overs.
The victory sets up a winner-take-all series finale in Bengaluru. Official scores confirmed the West Indies victory by 24 runs, with Hope’s unbeaten ton remaining the centerpiece of the match. For India, Sanju Samson’s 56 was the highest individual contribution in a chase that ultimately fell short against a disciplined bowling display.
