Riding on the back of Keemo Paul's destructive spell of 5/41 which was coupled with Shai Hope's tremendous ton, West Indies notched a comprehensive 24-run win over India in the fourth T20I on October 14.
West Indies thrash India by 24 runs to level T20I series 2-2
Batting first posted huge total of 247/3, thanks to Mr consistent Hope's blistering 50-ball 102. In reply, India launched a spirited response in the big chase, spearheaded by Sanju Samson's blistering 56 off just 23 deliveries at the top of the order.
However, the hosts ultimately fell short of the mark, getting bundled out for 223, thanks to Keemo Paul's carnage-filled 5/41. Nitish Kumar Reddy (21-ball 40) and Tilak Varma (25-ball 43) also fought back in the middle but couldn't steer India past the finishing line. The closing stages of the chase also dealt a worrying blow to the Indian camp when fast bowler Arshdeep Singh took a painful hit to his right shoulder off Shamar Joseph's bowling in the final over, forcing him to retire out.. With this West Indies levelled the five-match series at 2-2 with a match to spare. Meanwhile, the series decider will be played on October 17 at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Shai Hope’s second century of the series sets the tone
Asked to bat first, the West Indies laid down a formidable marker by piling up 247 for 3 in their 20 overs. The heartbeat of the innings was wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope, who played a masterclass in modern T20 batting.
Hope blazed his way to an unbeaten 102 off just 50 deliveries which was studded with nine sixes and four fours, a knock characterised by crisp timing, clean power-hitting, and clever placement. This marked Hope’s second century of the ongoing series, his fourth overall tour ton, and his third in T20 Internationals. He dictated terms from the powerplay onwards, bringing up his fifty in just 28 balls before accelerating through the gears.
He found explosive partners throughout the innings, notably Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed a quickfire 33 off 12 balls, and Sherfane Rutherford, who provided a brilliant finishing flourish with an unbeaten 49 off 26 deliveries. Hope capped off his magnificent innings in style, launching successive sixes off the final deliveries of the 20th over to reach his century on the very last ball, propelling the West Indies to an imposing total.
Samson's blitzkrieg in vain in India's spirited chase
Chasing a daunting target of 248 requires an explosive start, and India’s top order answered the call with aggressive intent. However, despite multiple batters getting into double figures and playing impactful strokes, the sheer size of the target proved insurmountable as India were eventually bowled out for 223 in reply.
Opening the innings, Sanju Samson set the stadium alight with a breathtaking exhibition of stroke-play. Samson raced to 56 off just 23 balls, utilising his trademark elegance and power to tear through the powerplay bowling. He found the boundary at will, putting the West Indian pacers under immense pressure and giving India the initial momentum needed to chase the record target. Unfortunately for the hosts, his dismissal checked their early-innings surge.
Following Samson’s departure, Tilak Varma stepped up to anchor the chase with a composed yet aggressive knock. Varma compiled 43 off 25 deliveries, rotating the strike intelligently while dispatching loose balls to the fence. His innings kept India in the hunt through the middle overs, bridging the gap between the powerplay and the death overs.
While Nitish Reddy too chipped in with brisk 20-ball 41, but the required run rate kept climbing as the West Indian bowlers ended up having the last laugh.
The innings also ended on a concerning note for the Indian camp when fast bowler Arshdeep Singh took a painful blow to his right shoulder off Shamar Joseph's bowling in the final over, forcing him to retire out as the chase concluded.
Keemo Paul’s Destructive 5-Fer seals the match for Windies
While the batters set up the game, Keemo Paul delivered the defining bowling performance of the night. Defending 247 on a flat track requires discipline and wicket-taking options, and Paul provided both in abundance, finishing with phenomenal figures of 5 for 41 in his four overs.
Paul’s spell completely derailed India's middle and lower-order momentum. Whenever India looked like mounting a partnership that could threaten the target, Paul struck with vital breakthroughs. He utilized clever changes of pace, hard lengths, and subtle swing to deceive the batters. By dismantling key set batters like Samson, Ishan Kishan (6 off 3), Nitish Reddy and cleaning up the tail (Axar Patel (3 off 5), Prince Yadav (0)), Paul ensured that the West Indian total remained safe, capping off a complete team performance.
Indian Bowlers continue to struggle
India’s bowling woes throughout the series were once again laid bare on Wednesday. On a surface that offered little assistance, the Indian bowling attack leaked runs at an alarming rate, conceding 16 sixes, as many fours and 18 extras.
Mayank Yadav had a difficult outing, conceding 52 runs in his 4 overs as the West Indian power-hitters targeted him in the middle and death overs. Arshdeep Singh suffered a similar fate, also leaking 52 runs in his 4 overs while struggling to find consistent lines during the powerplay and death.
Spinners and pace alternatives like Axar Patel (1/45) and Nitish (0/39) managed brief periods of control, with former striking with his very first ball—but overall, the bowling unit lacked the teeth required to contain a rampaging Caribbean batting lineup. Prince Yadav (36/1) too conceded runs at nine runs per over, while Naman conceded 19 runs in the only over he bowled. Such has been the story of India's bowling spread across the series.
When and where to watch IND vs WI 5th T20I?
The fifth and final T20I of the series between India and the West Indies will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM IST. The high-stakes series decider is hosted at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Fans in India can catch all the live action on television through the Sports18 network channels. For live streaming, the match will be broadcast digitally on the JioCinema app and website, ensuring free and accessible coverage for viewers across the country.