Sportspredictor Sports Update: West Indies Level T20I Series After Defeating India by 24 Runs Sportspredictor
India vs West Indies: Shai Hope and Keemo Paul Lead a Powerful Comeback
West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on 14 October 2026, bringing the five-match series level at 2–2. With one match remaining, the series will now be decided in Bengaluru on 17 October.
Shai Hope Powers West Indies to 247/3
After India elected to field, West Indies delivered a dominant batting performance, scoring 247/3 in 20 overs.
Captain Shai Hope led from the front with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford added an unbeaten 49 off 26 deliveries. Their partnership provided a powerful finish and left India with a challenging target of 248 runs.
India’s bowling struggled to contain the West Indies batters, who struck 16 sixes during the innings.
Sanju Samson’s Explosive Start Goes in Vain
India began the chase aggressively, with Sanju Samson scoring 56 off just 23 balls. However, his dismissal proved crucial as West Indies began taking wickets at regular intervals.
Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy attempted to rebuild the innings with a 70-run partnership. Reddy contributed 41 runs, but India could not maintain the required scoring rate while protecting its remaining wickets.
West Indies eventually bowled India out for 223, securing a 24-run victory.
Keemo Paul Turns the Match Around
The standout performer with the ball was Keemo Paul, who claimed five wickets for 41 runs. His dismissal of Samson and subsequent strikes against India’s middle order disrupted the chase and gave West Indies control of the match.
The result highlights an important lesson in T20 cricket: a strong start is not enough when a team struggles to maintain momentum through the middle overs.
What India Must Improve Before the Decider
India will need to review three areas before the final T20I:
Bowling discipline: Restricting boundaries and executing plans against aggressive batters will be essential.
Middle-order stability: India must avoid losing wickets in clusters during a high-pressure chase.
Death-over execution: Better control in the final overs can prevent opponents from reaching exceptionally high totals.
West Indies, meanwhile, will look to carry their batting momentum and bowling confidence into the deciding match.
Other Indian Sports Highlights
Anandkumar Velkumar wins silver: India’s Anandkumar Velkumar secured silver in the men’s 1,000-metre sprint at the World Skating Games in Paraguay, narrowly missing the gold medal.
Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill recognised: Indian cricketers Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill were named the ICC Women’s and Men’s Players of the Month for September 2026, respectively.
What Comes Next?
The fifth T20I between India and West Indies will take place on 17 October in Bengaluru. With the series tied at 2–2, both teams have everything to play for.
India will aim to correct its bowling and middle-order concerns, while West Indies will seek to build on the confidence gained from their high-scoring victory.
Sportspredictor Takeaway: The fourth T20I was a reminder that T20 matches can change rapidly. India’s challenge now is to turn individual performances into a more consistent team effort when the series reaches its decisive game.
Sportspredictor | Author: Anirudh Gaur
Sports Management & Operations
