Hope, Paul power Windies to victory in fourth T20I

West Indies level series 2-2 despite Samson’s explosive 19-ball fifty as India suffer defeat in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: After Shai Hope’s blistering century, 102 off just fifty balls (4 x 4, 9 x 6), the West Indies bowlers stuck to a disciplined line to choke the Indian batsmen and level the T20I series 2-2 after Samson’s quickfire 50 in just 19 balls at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Wednesday. But for the initial 10 overs, the Indians never looked like they would cross the rope and lost by 24 runs. Keemo Paul with 5/ 40 was the chief wrecker.

For the nearly 35,000 fans who turned up for the match, it was disappointing to see India fold up without a fight. Chasing 247, Sanju Samson was in rollicking form as he raced to 50 in just 19 balls (5×4, 4×6 ) and took the bulk of the strike, with Abhishek facing just 1 ball in four overs. His blistering knock came to an end when Hetmyer took a well- judged catch on the square leg boundary. Ishan Kishan didn’t bother the scorers much as he was out on the third ball after striking a straight six. India were 69/2 at that stage.

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After the end of the powerplay, India were 80/2. Things calmed down in the 7th over with the advent of Roston Chase, who gave away only four runs, and Springer brought the West Indies back into the game after he removed Indian captain Shreyas Iyer (16 off 11 balls). India reached 100 in 8.4 overs. With the fall of two quick wickets, Abhishek was rather subdued and was on 24 off 19 balls at the end of the 10th over. After the 10-over break, Tilak Verma struck Shepherd for a six and a four.

However, the West Indies once again put pressure on the Indian batsmen, with Motie taking out Abhishek, who holed up trying to score some quick runs as the required run rate climbed. Naman, who joined Tilak, didn’t last long as he was stumped the very first ball he faced for a duck. The third umpire took a while to declare him out as it was a close call. At 132/5, it was all but over. Nitish joined Tilak, and both stitched a 50-run partnership to bring the equation to 53 runs off 23 balls.

Just when things were looking good for India, with Nitish and Tilak giving a ray of hope, Shepherd struck to remove Tilak Verma for a well -made 43 (25b 2×4 3×6). Nitish tried to make a match out of it, but Paul had him caught by Powell when he tried another big one after hitting the previous one for a six. With Nitish’s fall, it was a mere formality for the West Indies, who won by 24 runs after Arshdeep Singh retired hurt.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Shai Hope took the Indian bowling to the cleaners with a solid 102 off just fifty balls (4 x 4, 9 x 6) and helped the Windies post an imposing 247 for the loss of three wickets.

Hope, who carried his bat through, was in rollicking form as he gave no hope for the Indian bowlers. His century was studded with four boundaries and nine sixes. Right from the start, he was in good touch. Having put in to bat after India won the toss, the West Indies began their innings on a right note. Mayank opened the Indian bowling attack.

The second over from Arshdeep saw Andrew hoisting his second ball for a six, and the Windies collected 17 runs from his over. Hope too opened up in the fourth over, carting Prince for a straight six followed by a boundary. The West Indies reached 51 by the end of 3.3 overs, and the openers collected 50 runs in 22 balls.

The introduction of Axar saw India draw the first blood with Andrew falling lbw (21 in 16 balls, 2×4 1×6) while trying to reverse sweep. The opening wicket added 54 runs. Though the batsman took a review, he was declared out. His exit saw Hetmyer join Hope. Arshdeep couldn’t stick to a line. Hetmyer capitalised and hit him for a 4 and a six off the last ball, and the West Indies reached 79 for 1 after the end of the powerplay. The lefty targeted Axar and hit him for two fours in his second over, taking the Windies to 90for 1 at the end of seven overs. A healthy 12.86 run rate was maintained from the start. Naman was welcomed with a six by Hope, and the 100 came up in 7.4 overs with 13 extras.

The change of ends for Prince Yadav saw Hetmyer depart for 33 runs (4 boundaries and 2 sixes). The ball rushed on him, and he gave a simple return catch to Prince.
It was a welcome breakthrough for India as Hetmyer was looking to get into his groove.

Meanwhile, Shai Hope carried on from where he left off. He was in good touch and reached his 50 in 28 balls (2×4, 5×6). His second fifty in this series. Axar Patel went for 45 runs in 4 overs. Arshdeep, who came back in the 13th over, was lucky to scalp the wicket of Rovman Powell (24, 17 balls,2 fours, and a six), who slashed at a delivery outside the off stump and was caught by Sanju Samson. The third wicket fell at 156.

After 10 overs, West Indies were 118/2, scoring at a run rate of 11.8 and reached 206 in the 17th over. In the 17th over, Rutherford came to the party, and Mayank’s last over cost him 22 runs. However, he got a reprieve at 40 when Mayank could not hold on to an easy chance from Prince’s bowling.

Prince was the most economical, conceding 36 runs in his four overs. Arshdeep’s four overs cost him 52 runs, and he took one wicket. Nitish, who was tasked with bowling the last over, was greeted with a four on his first ball by Rutherford. Hope struck two sixes off his last two balls to reach a well-deserved hundred. In the last five overs, the Windies scored 70 runs.