Shai Hope's blazing unbeaten century and Keemo Paul's five-wicket haul powered the West Indies to a 24-run win over India in the fourth T20I at Hyderabad on Wednesday, leveling the five-match series at 2-2 and setting up a winner-takes-all decider.
Hope's masterclass
Put in to bat, the West Indies piled up 247 for 3 in their 20 overs, built around a stunning hundred from captain Hope. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 102 not out off just 50 balls, reaching his century with back-to-back sixes in a display of clean, fearless hitting. He was well supported by Jewel Andrew, who made 21 off 16, and Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 33 off 12 balls. The Indian bowling attack had no answers as the visitors kept the scoreboard racing from the powerplay onward.
Paul's fifer seals it
Chasing a daunting 248, India made a flying start through Sanju Samson, who raced to a 20-ball fifty and finished with 56 off 23 balls. But the wheels came off quickly: Abhishek Sharma fell for 29, Ishan Kishan managed only 6, and Naman Dhir departed for a golden duck. Keemo Paul then ripped through the middle order with a game-changing spell, completing his five-wicket haul with three strikes in a single over — removing the dangerous Nitish Reddy for 41 off 20, Prince Yadav, and Axar Patel — as India fell 24 runs short of the target.
Decider awaits
The result squares the series at two games apiece after India had taken a 2-1 lead in Indore. The fifth and final T20I will now decide the series, capping a run-filled tour in which both sides have traded heavy blows. For the West Indies, it was another statement performance from their captain, who has been in phenomenal touch throughout the tour, and a reminder that their bowling attack can defend even the biggest totals when it fires together.
Sources:
- Times Now: India vs West Indies Highlights, 4th T20I — Shai Hope's Century, Keemo Paul's Fifer Help WI Level Series 2-2
Hope's masterclass
Put in to bat, the West Indies piled up 247 for 3 in their 20 overs, built around a stunning hundred from captain Hope. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 102 not out off just 50 balls, reaching his century with back-to-back sixes in a display of clean, fearless hitting. He was well supported by Jewel Andrew, who made 21 off 16, and Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 33 off 12 balls. The Indian bowling attack had no answers as the visitors kept the scoreboard racing from the powerplay onward.
Paul's fifer seals it
Chasing a daunting 248, India made a flying start through Sanju Samson, who raced to a 20-ball fifty and finished with 56 off 23 balls. But the wheels came off quickly: Abhishek Sharma fell for 29, Ishan Kishan managed only 6, and Naman Dhir departed for a golden duck. Keemo Paul then ripped through the middle order with a game-changing spell, completing his five-wicket haul with three strikes in a single over — removing the dangerous Nitish Reddy for 41 off 20, Prince Yadav, and Axar Patel — as India fell 24 runs short of the target.
Decider awaits
The result squares the series at two games apiece after India had taken a 2-1 lead in Indore. The fifth and final T20I will now decide the series, capping a run-filled tour in which both sides have traded heavy blows. For the West Indies, it was another statement performance from their captain, who has been in phenomenal touch throughout the tour, and a reminder that their bowling attack can defend even the biggest totals when it fires together.
Sources:
- Times Now: India vs West Indies Highlights, 4th T20I — Shai Hope's Century, Keemo Paul's Fifer Help WI Level Series 2-2
