Shai Hope smashed a blistering century and Sherfane Rutherford produced a devastating 84 as West Indies chased down India’s 249 for 5 to secure their highest successful T20I run chase in Ranchi.

Hope struck an unbeaten 102 off just 45 balls, while Rutherford hammered 84 from 37 deliveries to lead West Indies to a remarkable victory. The result also marked the highest successful T20I chase against India, as the visitors exposed the hosts’ bowling vulnerabilities in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

India had posted a formidable total after Sanju Samson’s 82, supported by Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma, but their bowlers could not defend it as West Indies completed a memorable chase.

Samson Leads India’s Charge

India’s innings revolved around Samson, who capitalised on an early reprieve to produce an explosive 82 from 41 balls.

West Indies experimented with their bowling combinations early, using seven overs of spin and two overs of part-time seam before introducing their two frontline fast bowlers.

Samson made them pay for their missed opportunities, finding boundaries regularly and maintaining India’s scoring momentum.

However, Roston Chase delivered a crucial spell that prevented India from running away with the contest. The offspinner finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 24 from four overs, removing Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube.

Chase’s disciplined lengths and control proved particularly effective against the left-handers, repeatedly interrupting India’s progress during the middle overs.

Iyer and Tilak Provide Late Fireworks

India’s innings gathered momentum again in the closing stages as Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma attacked the West Indies bowlers.

Both batters scored at better than two runs per ball, taking advantage of conditions that increasingly favoured the batters.

Tilak provided the final flourish with three consecutive sixes in the last over, which yielded 23 runs.

India finished on 249 for 5, setting West Indies a daunting target of 250. Yet, despite the imposing total, the absence of Bumrah left India without their most reliable death-bowling option.

Mayank Strikes, but Rutherford Changes the Game

West Indies’ chase began disastrously when Mayank Yadav claimed two wickets in the opening over, putting immediate pressure on the visitors.

He struck again early in the sixth over, leaving West Indies in trouble at 58 for 3.

But Rutherford joined Hope and transformed the contest.

Rutherford attacked Mayank with two fours and a six, helping West Indies reach 72 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. Hope had already taken on Axar Patel, striking two sixes and a four in the fourth over.

The pair refused to ease off, combining power hitting with smart placement to keep the required rate within reach.

Their fourth-wicket partnership produced 120 runs, with Rutherford contributing 84 and Hope providing the perfect balance at the other end.

Rutherford’s innings featured seven sixes and seven fours. He also took 23 runs from one of Axar’s overs, putting India’s bowlers under enormous pressure.

India had an opportunity to dismiss Rutherford when he was on 39, but Mayank dropped a catch off Kuldeep Yadav. The missed chance proved costly as Rutherford continued to dismantle the attack before Kuldeep eventually dismissed him.

Hope Finishes the Job

By the time Rutherford departed, West Indies needed 72 runs from 35 balls, leaving Hope with the responsibility of completing the chase.

The captain responded with a remarkable display of clean hitting, accelerating further as the finish approached.

Romario Shepherd added valuable support with 34 from just 13 balls, allowing Hope to maintain the pressure on India’s bowlers.

Hope then took charge in the 19th over, striking his eighth and ninth sixes of the innings to bring the target within reach and seal a historic victory.

His unbeaten 102 off 45 balls completed his second T20I century and continued his outstanding run of form after his recent success in ODI cricket.

West Indies scored 204 runs in boundaries alone, surpassing their previous best in a T20I and outscoring India’s boundary tally of 148.

India’s Bowling Concerns Remain

Mayank finished with three wickets but conceded 36 runs in three overs, while India struggled to contain the West Indies assault once Hope and Rutherford settled.

The hosts’ decision to use four overs of spin during the final five overs also came under scrutiny as the visitors continued to attack.

Although the impact of the dropped catch and bowling combinations can be debated, West Indies’ execution with the bat was decisive.

For India, the defeat raises questions about their ability to defend huge totals without Bumrah. For West Indies, Hope’s century and Rutherford’s explosive contribution delivered a record-breaking result and extended their impressive run of successful chases on the tour.

West Indies completed a stunning chase of 250, turning India’s 249 for 5 into a memorable defeat in Ranchi.