Hope Century and Paul Five-for Force India-West Indies Decider

Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 and Keemo Paul’s 5 for 41 propelled West Indies to a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20I, forcing the series into a decider in Bengaluru. West Indies posted 247 for 3 before restricting India to 223 for 9 in 19.3 overs, completing a rare successful defence on the tour.

Hope’s century, reached from the final ball of the West Indies innings, set up the imposing total after the visitors were put in to bat. India began their reply at speed through Sanju Samson, but West Indies repeatedly regained control through changes of pace, Paul’s late-innings variations and Gudakesh Motie’s restrictive spell.

The result was also a landmark one for West Indies: it was their first T20I win over India in India while defending a total, after six previous unsuccessful attempts.

Hope leads West Indies’ run surge

West Indies made their intentions clear early as Jewel Andrew, returning from injury, struck a six from Arshdeep Singh’s second ball. A 17-run over established the early tempo, while Hope quickly continued his prolific run through the tour.

Mayank Yadav’s pace and bounce created moments, but West Indies’ openers and middle order consistently found the boundary. The visitors reached 79 for 1 in the Powerplay, their highest T20I Powerplay score against India. Hope punished full deliveries and found scoring options both straight and on the leg side as the innings gained momentum.

Axar Patel provided India with a Powerplay breakthrough, but Shimron Hetmyer moved briskly into the contest. Naman Dhir, who had taken wickets earlier in the series, conceded 19 in his only over as Hope continued to dominate the scoring.

India briefly found another opening when Prince Yadav surprised Hetmyer with a bouncer. However, the incoming batters ensured that the scoring rate did not fall. Rovman Powell contributed during a 22-run over from Axar, while Sherfane Rutherford struck hard in the closing phase. Rutherford took 22 from Mayank’s final over as West Indies moved beyond 200.

Hope had reached 75 by the time Rutherford arrived and remained unbeaten on 102. His century came off the final delivery, after Mayank later missed a chance involving Rutherford and Tilak Varma was unable to sight a straight hit from the last ball. Rutherford finished on 49 as West Indies closed on 247 for 3.

Paul and Motie halt India’s chase

India began with urgency. Samson struck over Roston Chase’s head from the first ball of the chase and drove the Powerplay scoring as Abhishek Sharma initially had limited strike. Chase conceded 25 in his second over, and India were 50 without loss after three overs.

West Indies’ seamers responded effectively on a dry surface without dew, using slower deliveries to limit India’s attacking options. Paul made an immediate impact with his first ball, using a short delivery and field placement to produce India’s first setback. Three balls later, Ishan Kishan fell while attempting to repeat a six.

Abhishek made 29 from 24 balls, while Shreyas Iyer scored 16 from 11 and Naman Dhir was dismissed first ball. India’s middle overs stalled, with the batters managing 32 runs from 31 balls against short-length bowling. The source noted that the pitch held up at times and offered occasional uneven bounce.

Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy revived the pursuit with a 70-run partnership in 5.2 overs. Tilak made 43 and Samson top-scored for India with 56, but the late push lost momentum when both members of the recovery departed. India’s lower order was left with too much to do against Paul and Motie.

Motie returned figures of 2 for 13, while Paul’s five-wicket haul sealed West Indies’ 24-run win. With Hope’s century and Paul’s decisive spell, the series now moves to its Bengaluru decider.