Hope's Century Levels West Indies T20 Series in India

Hope ton helps West Indies level T20 series at 2-2 in India

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West Indies captain Shai Hope delivered a commanding performance with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls to guide his team to a crucial 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20 international in Hyderabad. The West Indies posted 247-3, with Hope’s blistering innings anchored by an unbroken 91-run partnership with Sherfane Rutherford, who contributed 49 not out.

Hope’s century marked his third T20 international hundred—the most by any West Indian batter—and his second of the series. The captain struck successive sixes off Nitish Kumar Reddy to bring up his century with the final ball of the innings. Earlier in the West Indies innings, Shimron Hetmyer provided explosive support with 33 off 12 balls, while Rovman Powell added 24 off 17 balls as the visitors maintained their aggressive approach throughout.

With the ball, Keemo Paul proved decisive for West Indies, claiming figures of 5-41 to dismantle India’s chase. Paul struck twice in the fifth over to remove Sanju Samson (56 off 23 balls) and Ishan Kishan in quick succession, then returned to take three wickets in a single over to seal India’s fate. India managed 223 all out in 19.3 overs, with Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) mounting a brief 70-run partnership in an attempt to keep their side competitive.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and pacer Romario Shepherd also contributed to West Indies’ bowling success, while India’s skipper Shreyas Iyer acknowledged his team’s shortcomings. "We were unfortunate we couldn’t execute our plans in bowling and that’s where we fell a bit short," Iyer said after the match. The victory levels the five-match series at 2-2, with a decider scheduled for Sunday in Bengaluru.

The West Indies and India are engaged in a five-match T20 international series in India, with the fourth match played in Hyderabad on October 14, 2026. The series was tied at 2-2 before this match, with the final game to determine the overall winner.

This victory represents a significant achievement for West Indies cricket, with captain Shai Hope leading his team to a crucial win against a major cricket nation. The West Indies’ competitive performance in India demonstrates the region’s continued relevance in international T20 cricket, and the deciding match offers an opportunity for the Caribbean side to claim a series victory on foreign soil.

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Hope’s Century Guides West Indies to Series-Levelling Victory in India

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