Ranchi, Oct 10:
Captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford starred as the West Indies chased down a mammoth target of 250 to beat India by six wickets in the second T20 International on Friday, levelling the five-match series 1-1. The visitors reached 252 for four in 18.3 overs, sealing victory with nine balls to spare.
Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls, while Rutherford blasted 84 off 37 deliveries. The pair added 120 runs for the fourth wicket off just 54 balls, turning a difficult chase into a remarkable victory. Romario Shepherd then contributed an unbeaten 34 off 13 balls to take the West Indies home.
Earlier, India posted 249 for five in 20 overs, powered by Sanju Samson’s 82 off 41 balls. Ishan Kishan contributed 43, while Shreyas Iyer scored 40 and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 44. Their late acceleration gave India what appeared to be a formidable total. Roston Chase claimed three wickets for 24 runs for the visitors.
India made early inroads through Mayank Yadav, who took two wickets in the opening over, but Hope and Rutherford counterattacked aggressively to keep the required run rate under control. Mayank finished with three for 36, but India’s bowlers could not prevent the West Indies from completing their highest successful run chase in T20 Internationals.
The result gives the West Indies renewed momentum, while India will look to address their bowling concerns after failing to defend a total close to 250. The third match will be played in Indore on Sunday, with the series finely poised at 1-1.