Ranchi, Oct 10, 2026 — Shai Hope has found a happy hunting ground in India, and his latest masterclass in Ranchi was built on a familiar foundation of belief, calculated aggression, and the value of batting partnerships. The West Indies captain struck an unbeaten 102 off just 45 balls to lead his side to a stunning six-wicket win over India in the second T20I on Friday, completing a record chase of 250 to level the five-match series 1-1. It marked the highest successful T20I chase against India and the second-highest overall in the format.
Yet, for Hope, the defining feature of the innings was not just the power hitting that dismantled India's bowling attack, but the partnerships that kept the chase alive. Emphasizing the need for better teamwork at the crease, Hope noted that building partnerships is an area his side has sometimes lacked.
West Indies' pursuit suffered an early setback when Mayank Yadav struck twice in successive deliveries to remove Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. With 250 required, the visitors needed composure alongside firepower, which Hope found alongside Sherfane Rutherford. The pair added 120 runs off just 54 balls to completely transform the contest.
Rutherford's explosive knock of 84 off 37 deliveries, featuring seven fours and seven sixes, allowed Hope to pick his moments without losing touch with the required rate. Although Hope had raced to a 24-ball half-century, he avoided taking unnecessary risks once Rutherford took on the attack, focusing instead on keeping the chase within reach at the back end.
Romario Shepherd provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 34 off 13 balls, helping West Indies plunder 41 runs across the 17th and 18th overs to seal the remarkable victory in 18.3 overs. The century also extended Hope's extraordinary run in India, following consecutive centuries in the preceding ODI series and a half-century in the opening T20I.
Having now scored a century in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket in India, Hope reflected that his consistency comes down to preparation and staying mentally fresh rather than feeling invincible. Maintaining a grounded and neutral approach, the West Indies captain backed himself and his teammates to turn a daunting target into a historic triumph.