Shai Hope produced a remarkable batting performance to guide the West Indies to a historic six-wicket victory over India in the second T20I in Ranchi on October 9, 2026. The West Indies captain scored an unbeaten 102 off just 45 deliveries as his team successfully chased a formidable target of 250, registering its highest successful run chase in T20 International cricket.
The visitors reached 252 for four in 18.3 overs, completing the chase with nine balls remaining. The result levelled the five-match T20I series at 1-1 after India had won the opening match. Hope’s explosive innings also placed him ahead of Chris Gayle on the West Indies’ list of fastest T20I centuries.
Shai Hope Surpasses Chris Gayle’s Record
Hope’s century came off 45 balls, making it the second-fastest T20I hundred by a West Indies batter. Chris Gayle previously held the second position with a 47-ball century, while Johnson Charles remains ahead with a 39-ball hundred.
Hope also matched the fastest T20I century recorded against India, equalling the mark set by England’s Jacob Bethell during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The West Indies captain combined controlled stroke play with aggressive hitting to keep the required run rate within reach. His unbeaten hundred included nine sixes, with the final maximum bringing up his century and completing the historic chase.
Rutherford Provides Crucial Support
Hope received outstanding support from Shimron Rutherford, whose powerful innings transformed the contest after the visitors lost three wickets for 58 runs.
Rutherford scored 84 from 37 deliveries, striking seven fours and seven sixes. He reached his half-century in only 24 balls and helped establish a decisive 120-run partnership with Hope for the fourth wicket.
Although Kuldeep Yadav eventually dismissed Rutherford, the West Indies had already seized control of the match. Romario Shepherd then joined Hope and contributed an unbeaten 34 as the pair added 74 runs to finish the chase.
India's bowlers had initially threatened to derail the visitors' innings. Mayank Yadav claimed two wickets in the opening over, including Shimron Hetmyer, who departed without scoring. Mayank also dismissed Rovman Powell for 24 with a delivery clocked at 150 km/h.
However, Hope and Rutherford counterattacked effectively, preventing India from capitalising on its early breakthroughs.
India Posts a Huge Total but Falls Short
India had put up an imposing 249 for five after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson led the scoring with 82 off 41 balls, while Ishan Kishan contributed 43 during a 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
Captain Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma accelerated the scoring towards the end. Iyer made 40 from 18 deliveries, while Varma remained unbeaten on 44. Their 83-run stand off just 33 balls gave India the momentum to reach a total that would ordinarily put substantial pressure on the chasing side.
Roston Chase took three wickets to interrupt India's progress, while Shamar Springer dismissed Samson. Nevertheless, the home side's substantial total proved insufficient against the West Indies' determined batting display.
After the match, Iyer pointed to dew as an important factor during the West Indies innings, explaining that the margin for error on the surface had been extremely small.
Series Heads to Indore
The victory represents a significant response from the West Indies after their defeat in the opening T20I. Hope's century and Rutherford's aggressive contribution demonstrated the team's ability to recover from early setbacks and sustain an exceptionally demanding chase.
The third T20I is scheduled for October 11 in Indore. With the series level at one win apiece, the next encounter offers both teams an opportunity to take the lead in the five-match contest.
Hope's performance in Ranchi will stand out as one of the defining moments of the series so far, combining individual record-breaking achievement with a landmark team victory.
