Shai Hope Century Inspires West Indies to Record T20I Chase Against India
Captain Shai Hope anchored an extraordinary batting display with an unbeaten 102 off 45 deliveries, guiding the West Indies to a stunning six-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at Ranchi on Friday. Chasing a formidable target of 250, the tourists reached 252/4 in 18.3 overs, sealing the highest successful run chase against India and the second-highest in T20 International history. The five-match series is now level at 1-1.
India entered the second T20I on the back of an eight-wicket victory in the first match in Lucknow.
The visiting side experienced a disastrous beginning when fast bowler Mayank Yadav struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer with express pace. However, Hope combined with Sherfane Rutherford in a blistering partnership that dismantled India's bowling attack. Rutherford contributed a rapid 84 from 37 balls, smashing seven fours and seven sixes as the pair added 120 runs in just 54 deliveries to turn the match decisively.
Spin Attack Neutralized Under Heavy Dew
As heavy dew settled over the JSCA International Stadium Complex, India's spinners struggled to grip the ball effectively. Hope capitalized on the conditions, bringing up his fifty off 24 deliveries before launching Axar Patel for a maximum to complete his second T20I century. Rutherford also reached his half-century in 24 balls, putting immense pressure on the home side's bowling lineup.
Following Rutherford's dismissal by Kuldeep Yadav, Romario Shepherd provided an explosive late flourish. Shepherd hammered an unbeaten 34 from 13 balls, helping plunder 41 runs across the 17th and 18th overs to secure the historic win with nine balls remaining. Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel conceded heavy runs during the middle and death overs as the tourists overhauled the massive total.
Romario Shepherd smashed an unbeaten 34 off 13 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.
Samson and Iyer Halts Prove Insufficient
Earlier in the match, India posted their highest-ever T20I total against the West Indies, finishing at 249/5 after being asked to bat. Sanju Samson roared back to form following four consecutive low scores, smashing a 21-ball fifty and contributing 82 runs from 41 deliveries. Samson shared an entertaining 97-run stand with Ishan Kishan, who chipped in with a brisk 43 off 22 balls before Roston Chase broke the partnership in the middle overs.
Earlier on the same tour, West Indies chased down 352 against India in New Chandigarh to record their highest successful ODI chase.
West Indies reached 72 runs in the Powerplay, with Rovman Powell scoring 24 off 13 balls at a strike rate of 184.61.
Captain Shreyas Iyer continued his strong batting form with an aggressive 40 off 18 deliveries, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 44 from 18 balls. Varma also crossed the milestone of 5,000 T20 runs during his quickfire knock, capping an imposing total that ultimately proved insufficient against Hope's record-breaking masterclass. The series moves to Indore for the third T20I on Sunday.
The visitors levelled the T20I series at 1-1 and will now move to Indore for the third T20I on 11 October.
How to evaluate Hope's match-winning innings
A century in a high-scoring T20 chase is not simply a personal landmark: scoring speed and the timing of boundaries influence whether the required rate remains manageable. In Ranchi, the target was 250, making every dot ball costly and every surviving partnership valuable. The win brought West Indies level in the series, not ahead. Readers should compare the chase with other T20 internationals using the same format and avoid mixing bilateral statistics with domestic league records. The next contests will also test the bowlers' ability to adapt to similar conditions.