Hope and Rutherford Power West Indies to Record Chase Against India

Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford produced explosive half-centuries to lead West Indies to a record-breaking six-wicket victory over India in the second T20I in Ranchi on Friday. Chasing India's imposing total of 249, the visitors reached 252 for four in 18.3 overs, with nine balls to spare.

The victory levelled the five-match T20I series at 1-1 after the opening two games. The match also delivered a remarkable 501 runs and 33 sixes.

Samson Leads India's Charge

After losing the toss, India made an aggressive start but lost Abhishek Sharma for 20 off 12 balls. Sanju Samson then took charge, reaching his half-century in just 21 deliveries after surviving an early chance.

Samson smashed 82 off 41 balls, while Ishan Kishan added 43 from 22 deliveries. Their attacking partnership helped India reach 139 for one after 11 overs.

Roston Chase brought West Indies back into the contest with an outstanding spell of off-spin, taking three wickets for just 24 runs in four overs. He dismissed Kishan, Shivam Dube and Samson at crucial moments.

India continued to score quickly despite the setbacks. Captain Shreyas Iyer struck 40 off 18 balls, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 44 from 18 deliveries. India finished on 249 for five in their 20 overs.

Hope and Rutherford Turn the Game Around

West Indies suffered an early collapse during the chase. Mayank Yadav dismissed Kamal Puran and Shimron Hetmyer in consecutive deliveries, before Rovman Powell departed for 24 off 13 balls. The visitors were reduced to 58 for three.

Hope and Rutherford responded with a stunning counterattack. Both batters reached their half-centuries in 24 balls, putting India's bowlers under sustained pressure.

The pair added 120 runs from just 54 deliveries for the fourth wicket, establishing a new West Indies T20I record for the highest partnership for that wicket.

Rutherford hammered 84 off 37 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes. Kuldeep Yadav eventually broke the partnership by dismissing him, but West Indies were already firmly in control.

Hope Completes a Match-Winning Century

With West Indies needing only 10 runs from the final 12 balls, Hope was also 10 runs short of his century. He reached the milestone in style, hitting two sixes off Axar Patel to complete a magnificent hundred and move his side closer to victory.

Hope finished unbeaten on 102 from 45 deliveries, striking nine sixes and six fours. Romario Shepherd provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 34 off just 13 balls.

West Indies sealed the win at 252 for four in 18.3 overs, and Hope was named Player of the Match.

The captain continued his remarkable run of form after scoring an unbeaten 162 in the final ODI against India while chasing a target of 352.

A Record-Breaking T20I Contest

West Indies' successful chase set a new benchmark against India, surpassing the previous record of 223 runs for the highest target successfully chased against the Indian side in T20 cricket.

The match produced 501 runs and 33 sixes across both innings. Only one T20 match has previously featured more runs: the 517-run contest between South Africa and West Indies in Centurion in 2009.

The record for the highest successful run chase in T20 internationals, however, remains with South Africa, who chased down 259 against West Indies in Centurion in 2023.

The third T20I of the five-match series is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad on Sunday.