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By Neto Baptiste
Shai Hope’s unbeaten run continued as West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in Hyderabad to level the five-match T20 International series at 2-2 and set up a decisive finale.
Hope became the first West Indies player to score three T20I centuries. The other four batters who batted contributed between 21 and 49 runs.
Hope cracked four fours and nine sixes on his way to an unbeaten 102 from 50 deliveries to help lift the visitors to 247 for three in their 20 overs after they were asked to bat.
Hope received valuable assistance from Sherfane Rutherford who made 49 not out with four fours and three sixes while Shimron Hetmyer added 33 from 12.
There was one wicket each for Arshdeep Singh (1/52), Prince Yadav (1/36) and Axar Patel (1/45) bowling for India.
Right-arm fast-medium bowler, Keemo Paul, then put India’s batters under pressure, picking up five wickets for 41 runs in four overs as India were removed for 223 with three balls to spare.
Sanju Samson top scored for India with 56 off 23 deliveries while Tilak Varma added 43 and Nitish Kumar Reddy made 41. Gudakesh Motie also did well with the ball for West Indies, picking up two wickets for 13 runs in two overs.
The teams combined for 470 runs on a dry, relaid Hyderabad pitch.
The fifth and decisive T20I is scheduled for 17 October in Bengaluru.