West Indies Beat India by 24 Runs, Level T20I Series 2-2

West Indies produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, levelling the five-match series 2-2 and setting up a decisive finale in Bengaluru. Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 and Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul proved instrumental as the visitors defended a formidable 247/3, bowling India out for 223 in 19.3 overs despite a blistering start and a spirited middle-order recovery.

After India elected to bowl, West Indies raced to 79/1 in the powerplay and reached 100 in just 7.4 overs. Hope struck nine sixes and four fours in his 50-ball century, reaching the milestone with a six off the final delivery. It was his third T20 International hundred, taking him past Chris Gayle’s two centuries for West Indies, and his second century of the series.

Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls, adding 91 runs with Hope in just 43 deliveries. Shimron Hetmyer contributed 33 off 12 balls, while Rovman Powell scored 24 off 17. West Indies finished at 247/3, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs apiece.

India began aggressively, with Sanju Samson smashing 56 off 23 balls, including six fours and four sixes. He reached his half-century in 20 deliveries before Paul dismissed him and Ishan Kishan in quick succession. Shreyas Iyer made 16, while Abhishek Sharma scored 29 before Gudakesh Motie removed Abhishek and Naman Dhir, who was stumped for a golden duck.

India slipped to 130/5 before Tilak Varma (43 off 25) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 off 20) revived the chase with a rapid partnership. Reddy’s assault on Shamar Joseph yielded 21 runs in the 16th over, but Romario Shepherd dismissed Tilak to break the stand.

Paul then removed Reddy and Prince Yadav in successive deliveries before dismissing Axar Patel for three, finishing with 5/41. It was his second T20I five-wicket haul, following his 5/15 against Bangladesh in 2018. Arshdeep retired hurt after being struck by a short delivery from Joseph.

The result followed wins for India in the first and third matches and a West Indies victory in the second. The teams meet again on October 17 at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the series title at stake.

West Indies:

247/3 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 102 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 49 not out, Shimron Hetmyer 33; Prince Yadav 1/36).

India:

223 all out in 19.3 overs (Sanju Samson 56, Tilak Varma 43, Nitish Kumar Reddy 41; Keemo Paul 5/41).

Next match:

Fifth T20I, October 17, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.