Photo via India Today

Gambhir gets no birthday gift as Hope, bowlers help West Indies draw level

West Indies turned Gautam Gambhir’s 45th birthday into a series-defining moment, leveling the T20I series with a 24-run victory over India in Hyderabad. The win came courtesy of a blistering 102 off 50 balls by Shai Hope, who anchored a dominant 247 for 3 in 20 overs, while Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul stifled India’s chase.

Gambhir, who had earlier sought fairer playing conditions, saw his team’s bowling unit struggle despite a strong start from Sanju Samson (56 off 23). The pitch, initially expected to favor batsmen with a mix of red and black soil, instead turned into a low-scoring battleground after early hiccups, including wides and a no-ball from Mayank Markande.

West Indies’ top order, particularly Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, capitalized on India’s inconsistent bowling, with the duo combining for 79 runs in the powerplay alone. The series now heads to a decider in Bengaluru, where India will need to address both fitness and tactical adjustments to avoid falling further behind.

Up nextCricket· 7h ago

I've always got your back: Yuvraj Singh's heartfelt birthday wish for Gautam Gambhir wins internet