Shai Hope hits 102 not out and Keemo Paul takes five as West Indies beat India by 24 runs to level series

Shai Hope hit an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls and Keemo Paul took five wickets as the tourists beat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, 14 October. The win levels the five-match series at 2-2 and sets up a winner-takes-all finale at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, 17 October.

Hope's six-hitting sets a huge target

Sent in after India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl, West Indies piled up 247 for three in their 20 overs. Hope was the driving force, reaching three figures with four fours and nine sixes and batting through the innings.

He had strong support. Opener Jewel Andrew made 21 before falling lbw to Axar Patel, Shimron Hetmyer struck a rapid 33 off 12 balls, and Sherfane Rutherford finished unbeaten on 49 from 26 deliveries as the Indian attack leaked runs at the death. Prince Yadav, who dismissed Hetmyer, returned India's most economical figures of 1-36, while Mayank Yadav went for 52 in his four overs.

Samson's charge and a middle-order fightback

India needed 248 and began in a hurry. Sanju Samson hammered 56 with six fours and four sixes, and the hosts were 84 for two at the end of the powerplay. But Paul removed both Samson and Ishan Kishan in the early stages, and Iyer fell for 16, caught at deep point off Shamar Springer.

Tilak Varma (43 off 25 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 off 20, including four sixes) kept India in the chase with a 70-run partnership. Once Romario Shepherd removed Tilak in the 17th over, though, the required rate proved too steep. Paul returned to claim Nitish, Prince Yadav first ball and Axar to complete figures of 5-41, and India finished on 223 for nine. Arshdeep Singh walked off after being struck on the arm in the closing stages, a concern for India ahead of the decider.

How the series has unfolded

The two sides have traded blows throughout the T20I leg of the West Indies tour of India, which began with three ODIs. India went 2-1 up with a 14-run win in Indore on Sunday, 11 October, but Hope's innings has now forced the series to go the distance.

For West Indies, the result is a welcome boost on a long tour. For India, Wednesday's defeat exposed familiar death-bowling problems: West Indies scored heavily in the final overs, and only Prince Yadav kept his economy rate in check.

Decider in Malaysia time

The fifth and final T20I at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru starts at 7pm India time on Saturday, 17 October, which is 9.30pm in Malaysia. The Bengaluru ground is known for short boundaries and high scores, which should suit the power hitters on both sides after a match that produced 470 runs.

Key takeaways

• West Indies beat India by 24 runs in Hyderabad to level the T20I series 2-2.
• Shai Hope made 102 not out from 50 balls with nine sixes as West Indies posted 247-3.
• Keemo Paul took 5-41, including the wickets of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
• Sanju Samson top-scored for India with 56; Arshdeep Singh was hurt late in the chase.
• The decider is in Bengaluru on Saturday, 17 October, at 9.30pm Malaysia time.

FAQ

What was the result of the 4th T20I between India and West Indies? West Indies made 247 for three and restricted India to 223 for nine, winning by 24 runs in Hyderabad on 14 October.

What is the India vs West Indies T20I series score? The five-match series is level at 2-2 with one game to play.

When is the 5th T20I in Malaysia time? The final match in Bengaluru starts at 7pm India time on Saturday, 17 October, which is 9.30pm in Malaysia.

Sources: Outlook India, India.com, Asianet Newsable, The News Mill, BCCI, Yahoo Sports