A high-scoring contest in Hyderabad saw the West Indies secure a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20, pushing the five-match bilateral series into a winner-takes-all decider. With both sides currently tied at 2-2, the Caribbean team set up the contest with a commanding batting display in the first innings, piling up a mammoth total of 247 runs in their allotted 20 overs before halting India's chase.
Skipper Pinpoints Execution Lapses Under Heavy Target
Reflecting on the outcome after the match, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged that defensive execution faltered during the bowling innings against the aggressive Caribbean lineup. Chasing a target in the vicinity of 250 is an uphill battle under any conditions, even though the batting order maintained a scoring tempo exceeding 12 runs per over for sustained periods. Iyer noted, “We could not execute our plans in bowling.” He credited the opposition attack for reading the conditions well, pointing out that extra bounce emerged from the surface and the visiting bowlers adjusted promptly to contain the scoring.
Hope's 50-Ball Century Sets Up Imposing Total
The foundation of the West Indies innings was laid by an explosive display from captain Shai Hope, who remained unbeaten on 102 off just 50 deliveries. Hope punished the bowling with 9 massive sixes and 4 boundaries throughout his stay. He received substantial support from Sherfane Rutherford, who narrowly missed a half-century with an aggressive 49, while Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with useful runs to bolster the tally. Defending 247, the Caribbean bowling group held its nerve to seal the 24-run margin, setting the stage for a tense fifth and final showdown.
