New Delhi: Shai Hope produced a sensational century to power West Indies to a record-breaking run-chase against India in the second T20I in Ranchi. Chasing a daunting target of 250 after India posted 249 for five, the West Indies captain struck an unbeaten 102 off just 45 balls, hitting six fours and seven sixes, to guide his team to a six-wicket victory with nine balls to spare. The win leveled the five-match series at 1-1.
Hope’s contribution was even more significant given West Indies’ disastrous start. Mayank Yadav struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer to leave the visitors reeling. Mayank later removed Rovman Powell for 24, but Hope remained composed, combining intelligent strike rotation with aggressive strokeplay to keep the chase alive.
The turning point came when Hope joined forces with Sherfane Rutherford. The duo added 120 runs for the fourth wicket, with Rutherford smashing 84 off 37 deliveries, including seven fours and seven sixes. Their partnership transformed the contest and put India’s bowling attack under immense pressure.
Even after Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Rutherford, Hope continued to dictate terms, finding valuable support from Romario Shepherd in the closing stages. With the target within reach, Hope finished the job in style, bringing up his century with a six off Axar Patel. The remarkable run-chase saw West Indies and Hope rewrite several records, underlining the sheer dominance of their batting display.
Among the milestones reached in Ranchi, Hope struck the joint-fastest century in T20Is against India, matching the 45-ball hundred hit earlier in the year by Jacob Bethell at the Wankhede Stadium. It was also the second-fastest T20I century by a West Indies player, trailing only Johnson Charles' 39-ball hundred against South Africa in Centurion in 2023. Additionally, Hope became the third West Indies batter to score multiple men's T20I centuries, joining Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis.
As a team, West Indies recorded their highest successful T20I run-chase, eclipsing their previous best of 236 for six against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2015. This also stands as the second-highest successful run-chase in men's T20I history, behind South Africa's chase of 259 against West Indies at Centurion. The match aggregate reached 501 runs, making it the second-highest match aggregate in men's T20I history, while the fixture also recorded 79 boundaries, ranking third-highest overall.