India, Oct 15:
West Indies produced an all-round performance to defeat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International on Wednesday, taking the five-match series into a decider.
Invited to bat first, West Indies piled up 247 for three, powered by a stunning unbeaten century from Shai Hope. The opener smashed 102 not out off just 50 balls, including four fours and nine sixes, to put the visitors in a commanding position.
Sherfane Rutherford provided valuable support with an unbeaten 49 off 26 balls, while Shimron Hetmyer struck 33 off just 12 deliveries to keep the scoring rate high and give the West Indies a formidable total.
India’s chase ended at 223 in 19.3 overs, leaving them 24 runs short of the target. Sanju Samson led the fight with an explosive 56 off 23 balls, but his innings was not enough to take the hosts across the line. West Indies pacer Keemo Paul starred with the ball, claiming five wickets for 41 runs to derail India’s chase.
The result ensures that the series will be decided in the fifth and final T20I, with both teams having everything to play for.
Skipper Shreyas admits that they couldn’t execute their plans with the ball. Accepts that they didn’t bowl the right lines and lengths. Adds that in a chase this big, they need to follow a certain pattern. Says he liked what he saw in terms of approach in the run chase, but reiterates that with bowling plans falling flat, it all made the difference.
Looking at the Powerplay, he points out India were still scoring at around 12 an over, even with the pitch offering a bit. West Indies used their fields smartly, he adds, and he gives credit where it’s due, calling their execution spot on. On the surface, Iyer notes that it started holding up more and offering some bounce, and the West Indies bowlers read that well, especially through the middle overs. Getting to 220 in a chase despite wickets falling, he notes, showed the attitude of every individual in the side.