Shai Hope century stuns India as West Indies light up Ranchi with record chase
IND vs WI, 2nd T20I: Shai Hope smashed a sensational century to lead West Indies to a record-breaking chase and a six-wicket win against India in Ranchi, levelling the five-match series in spectacular fashion.
by Sabyasachi Chowdhury · India TodayIn Short
- West Indies chased down 250 to draw level in the 5-match series
- Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 102 at the JSCA Complex in Ranchi
- Sanju Samson scored 82, but his knock went in vain
Brief Scores: West Indies (252/4 in 18.3 overs) beat India (249/5 in 20 overs) by 6 wickets in Ranchi.
India were left shell-shocked in Ranchi as Shai Hope produced another century to power West Indies to a record-breaking run-chase and level the five-match series 1-1. On a night when the runs flowed freely and the bowlers had nowhere to hide, the visitors pulled off a stunning six-wicket victory, reaching the target with nine balls to spare.
After India piled up a mammoth 249 for five at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, the contest appeared to be heading towards a comfortable home victory. But Hope and company had other plans, turning what looked like an imposing target into a memorable triumph.
For Hope, it was another remarkable chapter in a sensational run of form. Less than a week after his century helped West Indies complete their highest successful ODI chase in Mullanpur, the skipper was at it again. His latest hundred powered the Caribbean side to their highest successful chase in T20I history, the second-highest successful run-chase in the format overall, behind South Africa’s pursuit of 259 against the West Indies in 2023.
It was a night when the bat dominated the ball, with a staggering 501 runs scored on a surface that offered precious little assistance to the bowlers. Sanju Samson led India’s charge with a splendid 82, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about. Yet, even a total as imposing as 249 proved insufficient.
India’s bowling attack unravelled under pressure. Mayank Yadav stood out with three wickets, but the rest struggled to contain a West Indies side that refused to buckle under the weight of the chase.
SAMSON LEADS INDIA’S BATTING FIREWORKS
India's innings revolved around Samson, who smashed 82 off 41 balls, striking nine fours and four sixes. Abhishek Sharma provided an explosive start with 20 off 12 deliveries before Roston Chase had him caught by Gudakesh Motie at mid-on.
Samson survived two early chances and made West Indies pay, combining powerful strokes with excellent timing. He shared a blistering 97-run stand for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan, who scored 43 off 22 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
Samson reached his fifty in just 21 balls, the second-fastest half-century of his T20I career. However, Chase struck twice more, dismissing Kishan and Shivam Dube, who managed seven off 10 balls, to briefly slow India's momentum. Samson eventually fell while attempting to ramp Shamar Springer, with Nicholas Pooran completing the catch.
SHREYAS, TILAK PROVIDE FINISHING KICK
Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma ensured India finished strongly. Iyer hammered 40 off just 18 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, while Tilak unleashed a powerful assault in the closing overs.
Tilak struck Springer for three consecutive sixes in the final over as India collected 24 runs to finish at 249 for five. Naman Dhir added a boundary off the last ball to cap the innings.
Chase was West Indies' standout bowler, finishing with three wickets for 24 runs in four overs. However, India's powerful finish left the visitors needing 250 for victory.
MAYANK STRIKES EARLY, BUT HOPE STRIKES
West Indies' chase began dramatically when Mayank dropped Hope off the very first ball. The reprieve proved costly as the captain went on to score a match-winning century.
Mayank quickly made amends, dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer off consecutive deliveries to reduce West Indies to five for two. Hetmyer fell for a golden duck, leaving Mayank on a hat-trick.
Hope responded with boundaries, while Rovman Powell counterattacked with aggressive strokeplay. Powell raced to 24 off 13 balls before Mayank returned with a delivery clocked at 149.5kph to uproot his off stump. West Indies were 58 for three, and India appeared to have regained control.
HOPE, RUTHERFORD SCRIPT THE TURNAROUND
The game changed when Hope joined forces with Sherfane Rutherford. The pair added 120 runs for the fourth wicket, transforming the chase with fearless batting.
Rutherford was particularly destructive, reaching his fifty off just 24 balls. He attacked India's spinners and raced to 84 off 37 deliveries, hitting seven fours and seven sixes. Kuldeep Yadav finally ended the partnership by inducing a thin edge, which Samson caught behind the stumps. West Indies were 178 for three, needing 72 from 36 balls.
Hope had already reached his half-century off 24 deliveries and continued to anchor the chase. Romario Shepherd joined him and immediately launched an assault on the Indian bowlers, smashing 24 runs off Kuldeep's 17th over before taking 17 off Arshdeep Singh in the next.
The equation quickly came down to 10 runs from 12 balls. Hope swept Axar Patel for a towering six to move to 96 before sealing the victory with another maximum, bringing up his century in the process.
Hope finished unbeaten on 100 off 44 balls, with six fours and seven sixes, as West Indies reached 250 for four in 18.3 overs. Rutherford's explosive innings and Shepherd's late hitting proved equally crucial in completing the record chase.
India's imposing total had looked sufficient, but Hope's brilliance and West Indies' relentless aggression turned the contest on its head. The visitors levelled the series, leaving India with plenty to ponder after a remarkable night in Ranchi.
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