West Indies Level T20 Series After Hope Century and Paul Five-Wicket Haul
Shai Hope scored 102 not out and Keemo Paul took 5 for 41 as West Indies defended 247 and beat India by 24 runs in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad2 min read
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West Indies beat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International in Hyderabad on 14 October 2026, levelling the five-match series at 2-2.
Captain Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 102 from 50 balls, striking nine sixes and four fours. It was his third T20 International century, the most by any West Indies batter, and his second of the series. Sherfane Rutherford finished on 49 not out. West Indies posted 247 for 3 after being asked to bat. The total is the second-highest first-innings score against India in T20 Internationals.
India's chase never fully recovered after early wickets. Sanju Samson made 56 off 23 balls and Tilak Varma scored 43, but the required rate stayed high. Keemo Paul claimed 5 for 41, his second five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals and the first by a West Indies bowler to take multiple such hauls. Gudakesh Motie took two wickets. India were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs. Arshdeep Singh retired hurt after a blow to the shoulder.
The win was West Indies' first successful defence of a total on the tour. Hope has now been not out in each of the three matches West Indies have won. The series moves to a decider at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 17 October.
India had entered the match leading 2-1 after victories in the first and third games. The Hyderabad surface produced high scores, yet West Indies bowlers found enough control at the death to protect their total. Paul's variations proved decisive once India lost early momentum.
Hope's form has been the clearest feature of the series. He has scored heavily in both ODIs and T20s on this visit. The century in Hyderabad extended a record for West Indies and gave the visitors belief that they can defend totals against a strong Indian batting line-up at home.
For India the defeat raises selection and bowling questions ahead of the final match. The middle order contributed, yet the collapse after the powerplay left too much to do. The Bengaluru decider will decide the series.
Both sides now have two wins. The result restores parity after India had looked in control earlier in the tour. Hope and Paul were named the principal contributors; Hope received the player-of-the-match award.
