Our Bureau
Hyderabad
West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International in Hyderabad on Wednesday to level the five-match series 2-2, setting up a decisive final encounter in Bengaluru on October 17. Captain Shai Hope’s unbeaten century and Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul proved decisive as India failed to chase the target of 248 runs.
Batting first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, West Indies posted 247 for three in 20 overs, powered by Hope’s 102 not out off 50 balls. His innings featured four boundaries and nine sixes, helping the visitors establish a formidable total. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 49 runs, while Shimron Hetmyer scored 33 and Rovman Powell added 24 to maintain the scoring momentum.
Hope’s century was his third in T20 Internationals and his second of the series, underlining his consistency during the tour.
India’s chase began aggressively, with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson scoring 56 off just 23 deliveries, including six fours and four sixes. However, Keemo Paul struck crucial blows, dismissing Samson and Ishan Kishan to disrupt India’s early momentum.
Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer struggled to accelerate the innings, leaving India under pressure in the middle overs. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy briefly revived the chase with a 70-run partnership. Varma scored 43 off 25 balls, while Reddy made 41 off 20 deliveries.
Their dismissals, however, derailed India’s recovery. Paul returned to claim further wickets, finishing with figures of five for 41, while Gudakesh Motie provided support with two wickets for 13 runs.
India were eventually bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs, falling 24 runs short of the target.
The result leaves both sides level heading into the fifth T20I at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. With the series on the line, India will look to address its middle-order struggles, while West Indies will aim to carry forward the momentum generated by Hope and Paul’s match-winning performances.