Shai Hope shattered records on Wednesday, hitting an unbeaten 102 to propel the West Indies to a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20 international. The result levels the five-match series at 2-2, setting up a decisive final encounter in Bengaluru this Saturday. Reaching 50 off 28 balls with the help of five sixes, hope then added another 58 off 24 balls with Shimron Hetmyer. Despite Prince Yadav sending back Hetmyer for 33, while Rovman Powell scored 24, he wasn’t finished.
Opting to bowl first, India struggled as the visitors amassed a commanding 247-3. Hope’s masterclass included nine sixes and four fours, marking his third T20 century—the highest tally for any West Indies batter. His innings established a partnership of 91 off 43 balls with Sherfane Rutherford, who contributed 49 not out, ensuring the side crossed the 200-run threshold. India had won the toss and opted to bowl. Put into bat, Hope gave West Indies a flying by putting on 52 off 26 balls with Jewel Andrew (21).
This total stands as the second-highest first-innings score against India in the format, trailing only England’s 257-3 recorded earlier this year. Hope, who reached his century with a final-ball six, became the fifth player to notch multiple hundreds in a bilateral T20 series. This performance marks his fourth century across all formats on the current tour.
India’s chase began with promise as Sanju Samson blasted 56 off 23 deliveries, helping the team reach 80-2 during the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted when Keemo Paul claimed two critical wickets in the fifth over, dismissing Samson and Ishan Kishan. In reply, Sanju Samson hit 56 off 23 balls but India was down to 130-5 and the chase never took off. Axar Patel trapped Andrew lbw in the fifth over but West Indies still got 79-1 in the powerplay. He and Abhishek Sharma (29) added 60 off 25 balls as India scored 80-2 in the powerplay.
The collapse continued as captain Shreyas Iyer fell for 16, leaving India at 97-3 before the halfway point. A pivotal moment occurred in the 12th over when Gudakesh Motie dismissed Abhishek Sharma for 29, immediately followed by the golden-duck stumping of Naman Dhir.
Although Tilak Varma provided a late surge with 43 off 25 balls and Nitish Reddy added a rapid 41 off 20, the required run rate proved insurmountable. India was bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs.
Keemo Paul proved the standout bowler for the tourists, finishing with an impressive 5-41. He secured three wickets in the penultimate over to effectively terminate India’s resistance and seal the series-equalizing victory.
