Shai gives Windies fresh Hope

West Indies may be under pressure on their tour of India but at least some individual performances indicate a positive future for them.

Shai Hope struck a century as West Indies completed their highest successful ‌chase in T20 internationals, overhauling a target of 250 to beat India by six ‌wickets in Ranchi and level the five-match series at 1-1 on Friday.

The ​visitors were also recording the second-highest successful run chase in men’s T20 international history, surpassed only by South Africa’s ​pursuit of 259 against West Indies in ‌2023.

Chasing the daunting target, West Indies were rocked early when pace bowler Mayank ​Yadav removed Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer with successive deliveries in the opening over before dismissing Rovman Powell for 24.

Skipper Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match on its head with a blistering 120-run partnership ​for the fourth wicket.

Hope, anchoring the chase ‌while maintaining the required rate, combined with Romario Shepherd to guide West Indies home with nine balls to spare. Hope remained unbeaten on 102 from 45 deliveries.

“When ‌we got that partnership there, we just got some more impetus in the innings,” Hope said. “Then obviously Sherfane came and did what he did, played really well with the bat, and just gave us that spark that we needed to get over the line.”