Shai Hope’s 45-ball century and Sherfane Rutherford’s blazing 84 powered the West Indies to the second-highest run chase in men’s T20 history, overhauling India’s 249-5 to claim a six-wicket win in Ranchi. The dramatic victory, sealed with nine balls to spare, leveled the five-match series at 1-1.
RANCHI, India — West Indies captain Shai Hope produced an extraordinary masterclass alongside Sherfane Rutherford on Friday, guiding the Caribbean side to the second-highest successful run chase in Twenty20 international history with a six-wicket triumph over India.
Chasing a daunting target of 250, the visitors overhauled the total with nine balls to spare, reaching 252 for four in 18.3 overs. Hope sealed the dramatic victory in style, launching his ninth six of the evening to bring up an unbeaten 102 from just 45 deliveries. The sensational win leveled the five-match series at 1-1.
The chase marks the West Indies’ highest ever in the format, eclipsing their previous record of 231 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2015. South Africa holds the all-time world record, having chased down 259 against the West Indies at Centurion in 2023.
Hope, Rutherford Mount Blistering Counter-Attack
The chase began under intense pressure as Indian tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav rattled the top order early. Yadav struck twice in the opening over—removing Shimron Hetmyer for a first-ball duck—before later bowling Rovman Powell (24) with a fiery 150 km/h (93 mph) delivery, leaving the West Indies reeling at 58 for three.
Hope and the hard-hitting Rutherford responded with a ferocious counter-punch, stitching together a match-defining 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rutherford dismantled the Indian bowling attack, racing to his half-century off 24 deliveries before eventually falling to left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for a 37-ball 84 that featured seven boundaries and seven maximums.
Romario Shepherd then joined his skipper, providing crucial impetus with an unbeaten 34 in a rapid 74-run stand that extinguished any remaining Indian resistance.
“When you chase here in India, you always give yourself a chance,” Hope said after the match. “You always think you’re in the game, regardless of what score is on the board. But from 5-2 was always going to be challenging.”
Samson, Middle Order Fuel India’s 249
Earlier, India mounted an imposing total of 249 for five after being sent in to bat.
Following the early dismissal of opener Abhishek Sharma (20), Sanju Samson hammered 82 off 41 balls, combining with Ishan Kishan (43) in a brisk 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
West Indian off-spinner Roston Chase applied the brakes briefly, taking three key scalps—including bowling both Kishan and Shivam Dube—while Shamar Springer removed Samson.
However, Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma unleashed a brutal late onslaught, plundering 83 runs off just 33 balls for the fifth wicket. Iyer struck a whirlwind 40 off 18 balls before falling on the penultimate ball of the innings, while Varma remained unbeaten on 44.
“The margin of error on this wicket was very minor. Any minor error was going into the stands,” Iyer admitted post-match, noting that heavy evening dew significantly aided the West Indies’ batting.
The five-match series now moves to Indore for the third T20 on Sunday.
