Shai Hope-led West Indies gave India a taste of their own medicine with a 24-run victory in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad. On a batting-friendly surface, the visitors punished India’s bowlers before stopping their chase to level the five-match series at 2-2.
India have often overwhelmed opponents with aggressive batting on such pitches. This time, they were on the receiving end. Hope led from the front with another century, and India had no effective answer to his attack.
Shai Hope Leads West Indies’ Batting Charge
Despite some early assistance for the bowlers, West Indies piled up 247/3 in their 20 overs. Hope remained unbeaten on 102 off 50 balls, setting the pace and staying until the final delivery.
He needed 10 runs from the last two balls to reach his hundred. Back-to-back sixes completed his centurycapped another outstanding innings and left India facing a target of 248.
This was Hope’s second century in his last three T20Is. Having also scored hundreds in the final two ODIs against India, he now has four centuries in his last six international appearances. He has become India’s biggest problem on this tour, repeatedly turning promising bowling situations into expensive outings.
Shimron Hetmyer provided a sharp burst of momentum with 33 off just 12 balls. Sherfane Rutherford then contributed an unbeaten 49 off 26, ensuring West Indies continued scoring quickly through the closing overs.
Prince Yadav was India’s standout bowler, returning 1/36 from four overs. A straightforward dropped catch off his bowling denied him another opportunity. The rest of the attack struggled to contain the visitors, allowing Hope and his teammates to dictate the innings.
Samson’s Dismissal Changes India’s Chase
Sanju Samson responded with the aggression India needed. His 56 off 23 balls put West Indies under immediate pressure and briefly made even this huge target look within reach.
While Samson was at the crease, India appeared capable of finishing the chase with overs to spare. But Hetmyer’s excellent boundary catch off Keemo Paul ended his innings and changed the direction of the match.
Paul also dismissed Ishan Kishan in the same over. India lost both their early momentum and another batter who could have maintained the scoring rate.
Abhishek Sharma never found his usual freedom. His 29 off 24 balls was too slow for a chase demanding more than 12 runs an over from the outset. Shreyas Iyer also failed to deliver the substantial innings India needed.
Keemo Paul Ends India’s Resistance
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy offered a late fightback. Reddy’s 41 off 20 balls kept India in contention, while Tilak contributed 43 off 25.
However, the rising required rate left little room for quiet deliveries. Once it climbed beyond 15 an over, neither batter could sustain the hitting needed to complete the chase.
Paul finished with 5/41 from four overs, delivering decisive blows at both ends of India’s innings. The other West Indies bowlers supported him, preventing India from rebuilding enough momentum after Samson’s departure.
The defeat exposed India’s inability to control an opposition batting attack on the same kind of surface where their own batters enjoy dominating. West Indies showed they could deliver that punishment themselves—and defend the total afterwards.
Scorecard Summary
India vs West Indies, 4th T20I — Hyderabad
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 247/3 in 20 overs |
| India | 223/9 in 19.3 overs; Arshdeep Singh retired hurt |
| Result | West Indies won by 24 runs |
| Series | Level at 2-2 |
| Key West Indies batters | Runs (balls) |
|---|---|
| Shai Hope | 102* (50) |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 49* (26) |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 33 (12) |
| Key India batters | Runs (balls) |
|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | 56 (23) |
| Tilak Varma | 43 (25) |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 41 (20) |
| Abhishek Sharma | 29 (24) |
| Key bowlers | Figures |
|---|---|
| Keemo Paul | 5/41 in 4 overs |
| Prince Yadav | 1/36 in 4 overs |
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