West Indies have emphatically clawed their way back into the T20I series against India, securing a commanding 24-run victory in the fourth encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Spearheaded by a magnificent century from Shai Hope and a destructive five-wicket haul from Keemo Paul, the visitors successfully defended their formidable total of 247, setting up a thrilling series decider.
West Indies Beat India By 24 Runs
Shai Hope’s Heroics Set Massive Target
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India faced a relentless onslaught from the West Indies batsmen, with Shai Hope leading the charge. The opener’s brilliant unbeaten 102* laid the foundation for a daunting total of 247 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs. This aggressive batting display put immense pressure on the Indian chase from the outset.
Keemo Paul’s Five-Star Performance Crushes Indian Chase
In response, India’s chase started brightly but was ultimately derailed by the exceptional bowling of Keemo Paul. The right-arm pacer delivered a match-winning performance, ripping through the Indian middle order with a sensational five-wicket haul for just 41 runs from his four overs. Paul’s crucial breakthroughs, including the wickets of the rampaging Sanju Samson, who raced to a fifty off just 20 balls, and Ishan Kishan in the same over, turned the tide firmly in West Indies’ favor. India, despite contributions from Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41), eventually crumbled to 223 all out in 19.4 overs, falling short by 24 runs. Arshdeep Singh’s unfortunate retirement hurt marked the end of India’s innings.
Match Overview
| Team | Score | Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 247 | 3 | 20 |
| India | 223 | 10 | 19.4 |
Result: West Indies won by 24 runs.
Key Performances:
- Shai Hope (WI): 102*
- Keemo Paul (WI): 5/41
Series Level, Decider Looms
This victory not only levels the five-match T20I series at 2-2 but also injects significant momentum into the West Indies camp ahead of the final game. The series now heads for a thrilling conclusion, promising another high-stakes encounter between the two competitive sides.
The impressive all-round effort by the West Indies, particularly the individual brilliance of Shai Hope and Keemo Paul, ensured a memorable win. India will need to regroup quickly and address their batting collapse to challenge a resurgent West Indies in the upcoming decider.