Hyderabad: West Indies captain Shai Hope continued his remarkable run on the India tour, scoring an unbeaten century to guide his side to a formidable 247 for three in the fourth T20I on Wednesday.
Hope’s 102 not out off 50 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and nine sixes, marked his fourth century of the tour, including two in the preceding ODI series. The knock also strengthened his position as the West Indies batter with the most centuries in T20 internationals.
The right-hander received strong support from Sherfane Rutherford, who remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes. The pair’s unbroken partnership helped West Indies accelerate in the closing overs after India managed to take three wickets.
Asked to bat first, the visitors made an explosive start as Hope and opener Jewel Andrew attacked the Indian bowlers from the outset. Andrew struck 21 off 16 balls, including two fours and a six, while the opening overs proved expensive for Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav.
Axar Patel, playing his 200th international match, provided India with the first breakthrough by trapping Andrew leg-before-wicket in the fifth over, leaving West Indies at 52 for one.
However, Shimron Hetmyer immediately increased the scoring rate, taking on the Indian attack with aggressive strokeplay. He smashed 33 off just 12 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before Prince Yadav dismissed him at 110 for two.
Hope continued to anchor the innings while maintaining an aggressive approach. He brought up his half-century in 28 balls and combined with Rovman Powell to push the visitors past the 150-run mark.
Powell contributed 24 off 17 deliveries before Arshdeep Singh had him caught behind by Sanju Samson in the 13th over, reducing West Indies to 156 for three.
India briefly managed to contain the scoring, but Rutherford’s arrival shifted the momentum again. He and Hope accelerated through the final overs, with Mayank conceding 22 runs in the 17th over as the visitors crossed the 200-run mark.
Arshdeep also struggled to contain the batters, conceding three wides in the 18th over. He finished with figures of one for 52 from four overs, while Mayank gave away 52 runs without taking a wicket. Prince was India’s most economical wicket-taking bowler, finishing with one for 36.
Hope and Rutherford then carried the innings through to the end, leaving India with a target of 248 runs.
Hope’s innings offered West Indies a strong platform as they looked to keep their hopes alive in the five-match series.
