Full Breakdown
Hope’s Century Powers West Indies to Series-Level Win Over India
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Core Match Summary
In the fourth Twenty-20 International of the 2026-27 West Indies tour of India, the visitors posted 247-3 in their 20-over innings, anchored by Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 balls. India, chasing 248, were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs, giving West Indies a 24-run victory and leveling the five-match series at 2-2. The match was played in Hyderabad; the series will be decided in a final T20 the following Wednesday in the same city.
Series Background
The series began with India winning the opening match, followed by a West Indies win that put the teams level at 1-1. India then secured a 14-run win in the third T20 in Indore, taking a 2-1 series lead. West Indies’ win in the fourth match erased that lead, setting up a winner-takes-all decider.
Key Performances & Statistics
- Shai Hope (West Indies) – 102* (four fours, nine sixes); third T20 century of the series and the fifth batter ever to record multiple hundreds in a bilateral T20 series.
- Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies) – 49* off 26 balls.
- Keemo Paul (West Indies) – 5 wickets for 41 runs, his second five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.
- Gudakesh Motie (West Indies) – 2 wickets for 13 runs.
- Sanju Samson (India) – 56 off 23 balls, the top score for India.
- Abhishek Sharma (India) – 29 runs off 24 balls.
- Total runs scored in the match: 470, the second-highest first-innings total ever recorded against India in T20 cricket, behind England’s 257-3 earlier in the year.
Official Statements & Responses
West Indies captain Shai Hope reflected on the narrow margin: “Probably with the ball, we could've executed a little bit better,” emphasizing that marginal differences decided the outcome.
On-the-Ground Report
India won the toss and chose to bowl. West Indies capitalised on a strong opening partnership, reaching 79-1 in the powerplay. Hope accelerated the innings with a 58-run surge alongside Shimron Hetmyer, then added another 58 with Rutherford to push the total past 200. In reply, India’s early momentum, driven by Samson’s blitz, stalled as Paul’s five-wicket spell dismantled the middle order. Late-order contributions from Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy narrowed the gap, but a disciplined West Indies death-over spell secured the win.
What’s Next
The series will be decided in the fifth T20 International in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Both sides will field their strongest line-ups, with the series outcome hinging on the final 20-over contest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Probably with the ball, we could've executed a little bit better,” — West Indies — West Indies
