IND vs WI: Shai Hope, Keemo Paul ensure West Indies securing Parity in Series, India falter in monumental chase

West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14, to level the five-match series 2-2.

Captain Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls before Keemo Paul claimed five wickets to derail India's chase of 248.

After India won the toss and elected to bowl, West Indies posted a formidable 247/3 in their 20 overs. India responded with 223 before being bowled out in 19.4 overs, despite an explosive half-century from Sanju Samson and a fighting contribution from Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Shai Hope Leads West Indies' Batting Assault

Hope produced a commanding innings, striking four boundaries and nine sixes at a strike rate of 204. He completed his century with consecutive sixes off Nitish Kumar Reddy in the final over, finishing unbeaten on 102.

The West Indies captain received strong support from Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed an unbeaten 49 off 26 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes. Their unbroken 91-run partnership from 43 balls powered the visitors to a daunting total.

Jewel Andrew contributed 21 off 16 balls before falling to Axar Patel, while Shimron Hetmyer struck 33 from just 12 deliveries. Rovman Powell added 24 off 17 balls before Arshdeep Singh dismissed him.

West Indies raced to 79/1 in the powerplay, matching the joint-highest six-over score against India in men's T20 internationals. They also reached 100 in just 7.4 overs, underlining their dominance.

India's bowling struggled for control. Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep conceded 52 runs each in four overs, while Axar Patel gave away 45. Prince Yadav was India's most economical bowler, returning figures of 1/36.

Sanju Samson's Explosive Start Goes In Vain

Chasing 248, India needed an exceptional start and Samson provided exactly that. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 56 off 23 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 243.48.

However, Keemo Paul removed Samson in the fifth over and then dismissed Ishan Kishan for six, leaving India under pressure despite their aggressive powerplay.

Abhishek Sharma scored 29 off 24 deliveries, while captain Shreyas Iyer made 16 from 11 balls. Gudakesh Motie dismissed Abhishek and Naman Dhir, who fell for a golden duck, leaving India at 130/5.

With the chase threatening to collapse, Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy launched a counterattack. The pair added 70 runs for the sixth wicket, briefly reviving India's hopes.

Tilak scored 41 off 23 balls, including three sixes, while Reddy struck 41 off 19 deliveries, hitting three sixes and a boundary. Their partnership brought India back into contention, but Romario Shepherd removed Tilak as he attempted to accelerate.

Paul then struck decisively, dismissing Reddy, Prince Yadav and Axar Patel to complete a five-wicket haul. He finished with figures of 5/41, becoming the central figure in West Indies' successful defence. India were eventually bowled out for 223 in 19.4 overs, falling 24 runs short.

West Indies Level Series 2-2

Hope's unbeaten century and Paul's five-wicket haul proved decisive in Hyderabad. The visitors combined aggressive batting with timely breakthroughs to recover from India's early counterattack and level the series.

For India, the defeat exposed concerns over bowling execution and the inability to sustain the chase after Samson's dismissal. With the series now tied 2-2, the fifth T20I will decide the contest.