West Indies overcame an early collapse and a daunting target of 250 to defeat India by six wickets in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, October 9.
Captain Shai Hope led the charge with an unbeaten century, while Sherfane Rutherford delivered a blistering half-century to guide the visitors to 252/4 in 18.3 overs and level the five-match series at 1-1.
The victory marked West Indies’ highest successful run chase in men’s T20 internationals and the second-highest in the format, behind South Africa’s chase of 259 against the Caribbean side in 2023.
Sent in to bat after West Indies won the toss and elected to field, India capitalised on favourable batting conditions to post 249/5 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson spearheaded the innings with 82 off 41 deliveries, while Ishan Kishan added 43 off 22 balls. Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 40 off 18 deliveries before Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 44 off 18 balls helped India finish strongly.
Roston Chase claimed three wickets for 24 runs to emerge as West Indies’ most effective bowler, with Shamar Springer also taking two wickets.
West Indies’ pursuit appeared vulnerable when Mayank Yadav dismissed Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer in the opening over. Mayank later removed Rovman Powell to finish with figures of 3/36, but India could not sustain the pressure.
Hope and Rutherford turned the contest around with a decisive 120-run fourth-wicket partnership. Hope remained unbeaten on 102 off 45 balls, striking six fours and nine sixes, while Rutherford smashed 84 off 37 deliveries, including seven fours and seven sixes.
Romario Shepherd’s unbeaten 34 off 13 balls provided the finishing impetus as West Indies completed the chase with nine deliveries remaining.
The result gives West Indies renewed momentum ahead of the third T20I in Indore on October 11, with the series evenly poised at 1-1.
Scorecard:
India: 249/5, Overs 20, Sanju Samson 82, Roston Chase 3/24
West Indies: 252/4, Overs 18.3, Shai Hope 102*, Mayank Yadav 3/36