West Indies captain Shai Hope struck an unbeaten 102 as the visitors chased down 250 against India in Ranchi on Friday — their highest successful run chase in T20 international history — to level the five-match series 1-1.
A record night
Chasing a target of 250, West Indies finished on 252 for four in 18.3 overs, winning by six wickets with nine balls to spare. It is the second-highest successful run chase in men's T20 international history, surpassed only by South Africa's pursuit of 259 against West Indies in 2023, Reuters reported.
The chase had a rocky start. Paceman Mayank Yadav removed Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer with successive deliveries in the opening over, and later dismissed Rovman Powell for 24. But Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match on its head with a blistering 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Rutherford survived on 38 when Yadav spilled a straightforward chance, and capitalised on the reprieve by hammering 84 off 37 balls before falling to Kuldeep Yadav. Hope remained unfazed throughout, anchoring the chase while keeping pace with the required rate, and combined with Romario Shepherd to guide the visitors home. He finished unbeaten on 102 from 45 deliveries.
India's big total
Earlier, India posted 249 for five after West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl. Sanju Samson's 41-ball 82 underpinned the innings, and he and Abhishek Sharma raced to 42 in under four overs before Roston Chase broke the stand. Chase later removed Ishan Kishan for 43 and Shivam Dube, while Shamar Springer struck with the key wicket of Samson.
India accelerated again at the death, with Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma putting on 83 runs from 32 balls. Iyer made 40 before falling off the penultimate delivery.
The teams meet again in the third T20I in Indore on Sunday.
Sources: Reuters, The Statesman, NDTV
A record night
Chasing a target of 250, West Indies finished on 252 for four in 18.3 overs, winning by six wickets with nine balls to spare. It is the second-highest successful run chase in men's T20 international history, surpassed only by South Africa's pursuit of 259 against West Indies in 2023, Reuters reported.
The chase had a rocky start. Paceman Mayank Yadav removed Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer with successive deliveries in the opening over, and later dismissed Rovman Powell for 24. But Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match on its head with a blistering 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Rutherford survived on 38 when Yadav spilled a straightforward chance, and capitalised on the reprieve by hammering 84 off 37 balls before falling to Kuldeep Yadav. Hope remained unfazed throughout, anchoring the chase while keeping pace with the required rate, and combined with Romario Shepherd to guide the visitors home. He finished unbeaten on 102 from 45 deliveries.
India's big total
Earlier, India posted 249 for five after West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl. Sanju Samson's 41-ball 82 underpinned the innings, and he and Abhishek Sharma raced to 42 in under four overs before Roston Chase broke the stand. Chase later removed Ishan Kishan for 43 and Shivam Dube, while Shamar Springer struck with the key wicket of Samson.
India accelerated again at the death, with Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma putting on 83 runs from 32 balls. Iyer made 40 before falling off the penultimate delivery.
The teams meet again in the third T20I in Indore on Sunday.
Sources: Reuters, The Statesman, NDTV
