Hyderabad: Keemo Paul produced a match-winning five-wicket haul to wreck India's chase after Shai Hope's stunning hundred, as the West Indies secured a 24-run victory in the fourth T20 International here on Wednesday to force a series decider in Bengaluru.
Paul returned figures of 4-0-41-5, claiming his second five-wicket haul in T20 internationals, after his 5/15 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2018. His decisive spell helped the visitors defend a formidable total of 247/3, built around Hope's unbeaten century, and level the five-match series at 2-2.
India ended at 223 all out in 19.3 overs.
India made an explosive start to the chase, with Sanju Samson taking the attack to the West Indies bowlers. The opener smashed 56 off just 23 balls, striking six fours and four sixes as the hosts raced to 60 without loss in four overs.
Samson reached his half-century in just 20 deliveries, but Paul turned the contest in the fifth over by removing the opener and Ishan Kishan in quick succession. Samson was caught by Shimron Hetmyer, while Kishan departed for six off three balls, leaving India at 69/2.
Shreyas Iyer attempted to steady the innings but fell for 16 off 11 balls to Shamar Springer. Abhishek Sharma, who struck three fours and a six in his 29 off 24 deliveries, also failed to convert his start into a substantial contribution.
Gudakesh Motie then delivered a crucial double strike in the 12th over, dismissing Abhishek and Naman Dhir, who was stumped for a golden duck. Motie finished with figures of 2-0-13-2, leaving India struggling at 132/5 and firmly shifting the pressure on the home side.
Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy mounted a spirited counterattack to revive India's hopes. The pair added 59 runs off just 26 balls, with Tilak striking 43 off 25 deliveries and Reddy smashing 41 off 20 balls.
Reddy took on Shamar Joseph in the 16th over, collecting a four and two sixes in a 21-run over that brought India to 189/5. With the required rate still within reach, the partnership briefly threatened to turn the game around.
Romario Shepherd broke the stand in the 17th over, dismissing Tilak with Rovman Powell taking the catch. Paul then returned to dismantle the lower order, removing Reddy and Prince Yadav in successive deliveries before Axar Patel fell for three, completing his five-wicket haul and leaving India's chase in disarray.
India's resistance ended in 19.4 overs. Arshdeep Singh, who made five off four balls, was struck on the left bicep by a sharp short delivery from Joseph in the final over. After receiving attention, he left the field, with the scorecard recording him as retired out.
Earlier, Hope produced a breathtaking unbeaten 102 off 50 balls to power the West Indies to 247/3 after India elected to bowl. He completed his century with a six off the final delivery of the innings, recording his third T20 International hundred and second century of the series.
Hope was particularly severe during the powerplay, as the West Indies raced to 79/1 in the first six overs, their joint-highest powerplay total against India in T20Is. The visitors brought up 100 in 7.4 overs, matching the fastest team century against India in the format.
Sherfane Rutherford provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 49 off 26 balls, adding 91 runs with Hope in just 43 deliveries. Shimron Hetmyer contributed 33 off 12 balls, while Rovman Powell made 24 off 17.
India struggled to contain the onslaught, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs apiece. The West Indies struck 17 sixes and benefited from 17 extras to post a commanding total, setting up a winner-takes-all contest in Bengaluru on Saturday.