Hope’s Century and Paul’s Five-Wicket Haul Level West Indies Series at 2-2

West Indies posted 247 for 3 (Hope 102, Rutherford 49, Prince 1-36) and defeated India, who were all out for 223 (Samson 56, Paul 5-41, Motie 2-13), by 24 runs.

Shai Hope remained unbeaten in three innings during this India tour, the same three matches West Indies have won. This latest victory set up a decider in what has become a landmark T20I series for the Caribbean side. Hope became the first West Indies batter to score three T20I centuries, while the other four batsmen who contributed scored between 21 and 49 runs. Keemo Paul recorded the first multiple five-wicket haul by a West Indies bowler in T20Is, and the team secured its first successful defence of the tour.The high scoring of 470 runs in the match underscores the batting strength of today’s players, even though the pitch offered some assistance to the bowlers in both innings. On a relaid Hyderabad surface that was notably dry, India used the slight tail on the ball to curb West Indies’ scoring. In response, the West Indies exploited the dry conditions, avoiding dew and using the large square boundaries to weather a blistering 56 off 23 balls from Sanju Samson.After reaching 50 without loss in the first three overs, West Indies tightened the reins, producing 12 successive overs in which they conceded 13 runs or fewer. For the first time in the series, they held onto every chance that came their way. Keemo Paul’s five‑wicket haul and a double‑wicket over from Gudakesh Motie added the perfect finishing touch.

Hope Finds Support

For the first time in the series, Hope did not have to shoulder the scoring burden alone. Jewel Andrew, replacing Kamil Pooran, took the fight to Arshdeep Singh’s opening over, nullifying the bowler who had previously curtailed Hope. Hope repaid the favour by dismissing Mayank Yadav, who had begun tightly against Andrew.

Shimron Hetmyer raced to 17 off five balls, taking West Indies to 79 for one in the powerplay while Arshdeep’s figures read 2‑0‑36‑0. When Hope struck 19 off Naman Dhir’s opening over, pushing the score to 109 for one after eight overs, India found themselves in serious trouble.

A brief slowdown followed when Prince Yadav removed Hetmyer and the ball began to reverse slightly. Rovman Powell, who had struggled with low scores earlier, used the pause to regain momentum, hitting four, six and four in Axar Patel’s final over. Nevertheless, as the death overs approached, the last eight overs yielded only 76 runs, with India repeatedly bowling wide yorkers that conceded extra runs.

Sherfane Rutherford took control in Mayank Yadav’s final over, giving Hope a second wind to launch the last two balls for sixes and raise the total from 90 to 102 off 50 balls. India managed only 62 runs in the final four overs despite not bowling poorly.

Sanju Samson gave India a quick start•BCCI

Samson’s Fluency

At first it seemed Samson was merely trying to keep Abhishek Sharma away from Roston Chase, but he quickly launched into a smooth yet destructive half‑century in the third over. Abhishek faced just three balls in the opening three overs as Samson struck four sixes and six fours. It appeared India were on course for a tour where both teams would record their highest successful chases in all formats.

Calling on Keemo Paul

A splendid catch by Hetmyer sparked the turnaround, a welcome shift after a fairly ordinary fielding display from most players. Paul cramped Samson with a short ball; although Samson managed a decent connection on the hook, Hetmyer took the catch, tossed it aloft, stepped over the boundary and returned to complete the dismissal calmly. Ishan Kishan began with a well‑timed six off a slower delivery but failed to middle the next on‑pace ball, holing out to deep midwicket.

Through astute bowling changes and variations in pace, the West Indies curtailed Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. Although the pair added only 30 runs in 3.4 overs, in the match’s context their restrained scoring proved damaging for India.

Keemo Paul celebrates a wicket alongside Shai Hope•BCCI

A pivotal moment came when Hope opted not to postpone bringing Motie into the attack, despite two determined left‑hand batsmen at the crease. India required 122 runs from the final nine overs. Abhishek launched the first ball for a four. Pressure mounted, yet the pitch offered sufficient grip for Motie to induce a false shot that resulted in a comfortable catch at long‑off. He followed with a superb delivery to have Dhir stumped for a golden duck.

Romario Guides West Indies Home

At 132 for five, the examination turned to India’s batting depth, a facet they have repeatedly emphasized. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy were forced to grind hard to stay in the game before a wayward 16th over from Shamar Joseph swung momentum back in India’s favour. Reddy struck two sixes in that 21‑run over, reducing the requirement to 59 runs from the final four overs—fewer than the West Indies had managed in their own death overs.

Romario Shepherd, returning after an injury‑related absence in the previous match, began the 17th over with a yorker, but Varma dispatched the low full toss for a six. Shepherd then varied his approach, bowling into the pitch with a yorker as a change‑up, and concluded the over with a high ball from Varma that decisively shifted the match.

Shamar Springer delivered an accomplished 18th over that put the game beyond India’s reach, and Keemo Paul came back to claim three wickets in the 19th over. The contest concluded when Arshdeep sustained a blow to his bicep, prompting India to withdraw him to avoid further injury.

Sidharth Monga serves as a senior writer at Cricinfo

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