West Indies Beat India by 24 Runs to Level T20 Series 2-2

West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 international in Bengaluru, levelling the five-match series at 2-2. Shai Hope was the standout star, setting a personal record with 102 not out and playing a major role in the visitors' victory.

Put in to bat after India won the toss and chose to bowl, West Indies quickly seized control. Hope and Jewel Andrew (21) opened with 52 runs in just 26 balls. Axar Patel removed Andrew lbw in the fifth over, but West Indies still reached 79-1 in the powerplay. Hope continued in partnership with Shimron Hetmyer, adding 58 runs in 24 balls, and brought up his fifty off 28 balls with five sixes.

Hope went on to his second century of the series with four more sixes, becoming the fifth batter to score multiple centuries in a bilateral T20 series. More broadly, it was his fourth century in seven innings across ODIs and T20s on this tour. West Indies finished their innings on 247-3 from 20 overs, with Hope unbeaten on 102, including nine sixes and four fours.

It was the second-highest first-innings total in T20 matches against India, behind only England's 257-3 at Southampton earlier this year. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 49 not out from 26 balls with four fours and three sixes, helping West Indies pass 200. He and Hope built a 91-run partnership in just 43 balls. India were penalised for a slow over rate in the final over, and Nitish Reddy conceded 19 runs in the 20th over, the moment Hope completed his century with a six off the last ball.

In reply, India made a strong start as Sanju Samson scored 56 off 23 balls with four sixes. He and Abhishek Sharma (29) added 60 runs in 25 balls, taking India to 80-2 in the powerplay. However, Keemo Paul immediately turned the tide, removing Samson with a catch at square leg off the first ball of the fifth over, then dismissing Ishan Kishan at deep mid wicket three balls later for just six.

India also lost captain Shreyas Iyer (16) before the midway point, slipping to 97-3. Abhishek Sharma could not maintain the momentum, scoring 29 off 24 balls with three fours and a six before being caught at long off by Gudakesh Motie in the 12th over – the turning point of the match. Motie also removed Naman Dhir stumped for a golden duck. Tilak Varma fought hard with 43 off 25 balls and Nitish Reddy made an impressive contribution (41 off 20 balls), but it was not enough to change the outcome.

Keemo Paul sealed the win for West Indies by taking three wickets in the 19th over, ending India's innings on 223 after 19.3 overs. Paul finished with 5-41, marking his second five-wicket haul in a T20 match. The deciding match will be played in Bengaluru on Saturday.