Photo via Onmanorama

Sanju Samson shines again, but in vain as West Indies level T20I series

The five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies remained tied at 2-2 after the fourth match in Hyderabad, where West Indies secured a 24-run victory. The match, played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, saw West Indies post 247 for 3 in their 20 overs, while India were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs chasing a target of 248.

The game was marked by standout individual performances, including an unbeaten century from Shai Hope and a rapid 56 from Sanju Samson, who became the sixth Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in T20Is during the innings. However, a late collapse and a five-wicket haul by Keemo Paul for West Indies proved decisive in the outcome.

Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 balls anchored West Indies’ total, featuring nine sixes and four fours. He completed his century with a six off the final delivery, sealing his team’s innings with authority.

Sherfane Rutherford added an unbeaten 49 off 26 balls, including four fours and three sixes, while Shimron Hetmyer contributed 33 runs. Gudakesh Motie took two wickets for 13 runs, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Naman Dhir.

Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph also claimed wickets for West Indies.

India’s chase began strongly with Sanju Samson’s aggressive 56 off 23 balls, featuring six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 243.48. Tilak Varma followed with 43 off 25 balls, while Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 41 off 20 balls.

However, the middle order crumbled under pressure, with Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul (5/41) dismantling the batting lineup. Paul dismissed Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prince Yadav, marking his second five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals after a previous 5/15 against Bangladesh in 2018.

India’s only wicket-taker, Prince Yadav, managed 1/36.

Arshdeep Singh retired hurt after being struck on the right shoulder by a short delivery from Shamar Joseph in the final over of West Indies’ innings. He made 5 runs off 4 balls before leaving the field.

The series now stands at 2-2, with the fifth and final T20I scheduled to take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. The decider will determine the winner of the five-match series.

This report also draws on coverage from The Times of India, Hindustan Times, CricketAddictor, ESPN Cricinfo.

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