Hope, Rutherford, Chase combine for remarkable West Indies win

Captain Shai Hope blasted an unbeaten century to lead West Indies to a six-wicket victory over India, during the second T20 International in Ranchi.

Chasing a mammoth 250 to keep the series alive, West Indies powered to 252 for four, completing the chase with nine balls to spare. The result continued a trend on the tour, with neither side winning after batting first. 

Player-of-the-Match Hope sealed the victory in style, smashing two sixes in the 19th over to bring up his latest century on a tour that had already seen him reach three figures twice during the ODI leg.

The Barbadian finished unbeaten on 102 from just 45 balls, striking six fours and nine sixes in a superb display of power-hitting. The victory also ranked as the second-highest successful run chase in T20 International history. 

West Indies launched a boundary assault, clearing the ropes 20 times and hitting 21 fours to score 204 runs in boundaries alone.

The West Indies recovered from an early collapse, reaching 71 for three at the end of the powerplay after slipping to five for two. Kamil Pooran fell for four, while Shimron Hetmyer was dismissed for a first-ball duck. 

Rovman Powell added a brisk 24 off 13 balls, before Sherfane Rutherford joined Hope in a fourth-wicket stand worth 120. Their partnership eclipsed the previous record of 103, held by Dwayne Bravo and Hetmyer. 

Rutherford fell in the 15th over for 84, but West Indies were well placed at 178 for four, following a 37-ball innings which included seven fours and seven sixes.

With Hope continuing to punish the Indian bowlers, Romario Shepherd joined his captain and provided valuable support to the finish, remaining unbeaten on 33, with three fours and three sixes. 

Mayank Yadav was India’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 36 runs.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, India posted an imposing 249 for five, racing to 79 for one by the end of the powerplay. 

Opener Sanju Samson top-scored with 82 from 41 balls, while Tilak Varma smashed 44 from 18 deliveries and Ishan Kishan 43 from 22. Captain Shreyas Iyer added 40.

In a match dominated by the bat, Roston Chase stood out with the ball, taking three wickets for 24 runs, while Shamar Springer claimed two for 64. 

The teams now turn their attention to Sunday’s series-deciding third T20 International in Indore.

(KH)