Hyderabad: West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth match of the five-match T20 series between the two sides. With this victory, the Caribbean team levelled the series at 2-2.

Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted a formidable total of 247 runs for the loss of three wickets. Captain Shai Hope scored a magnificent century. In reply, India managed only 223 runs. The Indian innings ended with two balls remaining after Arshdeep Singh decided to retire hurt following a discussion with the umpires, as a delivery from Keemo Paul struck him on the shoulder. By that stage, India's defeat was all but certain.

Chasing the daunting target of 248 runs, India had an opportunity to create history, as the team had never previously chased down a target of more than 209 runs. Sanju Samson produced a brilliant batting display, giving India an excellent start. He helped the team reach the 50-run mark in just three overs. During this period, Samson also completed his half-century in only 20 balls.

At that point, it appeared that India might achieve the target comfortably. However, the scoring rate slowed after Samson was dismissed in the fifth over. He fell on the first ball of the over after scoring 56 runs off 23 deliveries, including six fours and four sixes.

Abhishek Sharma, in contrast to his usual aggressive style, batted cautiously in this match. He also had limited opportunities to face deliveries during the powerplay. When Samson returned to the pavilion after completing his half-century, Abhishek was batting on just three runs.

He was eventually dismissed by Gudakesh Motie for 29 runs off 24 balls, including three fours and a six.

By the end of 11.4 overs, India had lost five wickets for 130 runs. Defeat appeared inevitable, but Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy attempted to bring India back into the contest with a crucial 70-run partnership off just 32 balls.

However, Tilak Varma was dismissed at a crucial stage, triggering another collapse in the Indian innings and making the target increasingly difficult to achieve.

Shai Hope's magnificent century

After winning the toss and batting first, West Indies were once again led by a superb century from captain Shai Hope. He remained unbeaten on 102 off just 50 balls, helping his team post 247 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Hope struck nine sixes and four fours during his innings. He completed his century by hitting sixes off the final two deliveries of the innings. It was the third century of his T20 career. With this achievement, he became the West Indies batter with the most centuries in T20 cricket.

Interestingly, all three of Hope's T20 centuries have come with an individual score of exactly 102 runs.

Sherfane Rutherford, who had produced an impressive innings in the second T20 match of the series, continued his fine form. He remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls, including three sixes and four fours.

Meanwhile, Rovman Powell scored 24 runs off 17 balls, Shimron Hetmyer made 33 off 12 deliveries, and Jewel Andrew contributed 21 runs off 16 balls. Their aggressive batting played a crucial role in helping West Indies reach a massive total.

Almost all the Indian bowlers proved expensive in the match. Prince Yadav was India's most successful bowler, taking one wicket for 36 runs in his four overs.