Shai Hope's unbeaten century and Sherfane Rutherford's explosive innings power West Indies to a remarkable victory after India post 249/5 in Ranchi.
Match at a Glance
Match: India vs West Indies, 2nd T20I
Date: 9 October 2026
Venue: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
India: 249/5 in 20 overs
West Indies: 252/4 in 18.3 overs
Result: West Indies won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Shai Hope
Series score: 1–1
India Post a Huge Total of 249 Runs
India delivered an aggressive batting performance after West Indies won the toss and elected to field. The Indian batters took advantage of the batting-friendly conditions to put 249 runs on the scoreboard for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Sanju Samson led the charge with an impressive 82 runs. Ishan Kishan contributed 43, while Shreyas Iyer scored 40 and Tilak Varma added 44 runs.
India's powerful batting effort appeared to put the home side in a commanding position. With 250 runs required for victory, West Indies faced a difficult challenge against the Indian bowling attack.
However, the visitors had other plans.
Shai Hope Produces a Match-Winning Century
West Indies captain Shai Hope played a sensational innings, scoring an unbeaten 102 runs from just 45 balls.
Hope combined powerful stroke play with excellent composure under pressure. His century gave West Indies the foundation needed to chase down India's huge total.
Despite losing early wickets, the visitors refused to surrender. Hope kept the scoring rate high and ensured that the required run rate remained within reach.
His performance proved decisive in one of the most remarkable matches of the series.
Sherfane Rutherford Changes the Game
Sherfane Rutherford delivered another extraordinary performance, smashing 84 runs from just 37 balls.
His explosive partnership with Hope transformed the match. The pair attacked the Indian bowlers and scored freely, putting enormous pressure on the home side.
Their fourth-wicket partnership added 120 runs and brought West Indies back into a contest that had initially appeared to favour India.
India's bowlers struggled to contain the two batters as the visitors gathered momentum during the middle and final overs.
India's Bowlers Face a Tough Night
Mayank Yadav claimed three wickets for India, providing early breakthroughs and briefly raising hopes of defending the target.
However, the Indian attack could not stop the counterattack from Hope and Rutherford.
Defending 249 runs, India needed regular wickets to keep the required run rate under control. Once the West Indies batters settled in, the pressure shifted towards the Indian bowlers.
The visitors completed the chase in 18.3 overs, finishing on 252/4 and winning with nine balls remaining.
West Indies Level the T20I Series
The victory brought the five-match T20I series level at 1–1.
India had won the opening match by eight wickets in Lucknow, but West Indies responded emphatically in Ranchi.
The result gives the visitors renewed confidence heading into the third T20 International, scheduled for 11 October in Indore.
India will be looking to strengthen its bowling performance, while West Indies will hope that Hope and Rutherford can continue their outstanding form.
What Does the Result Mean for India?
India's total of 249/5 would ordinarily be considered a formidable score in T20 cricket. However, the defeat demonstrates that even a huge total can be vulnerable when opponents combine aggressive batting with a strong partnership.
India's challenge in the next match will be to improve its execution under pressure, especially during the middle overs and at the end of the innings.
West Indies, meanwhile, will take confidence from their successful chase and the depth of their batting lineup.
Conclusion
The second T20I between India and West Indies produced an extraordinary batting contest in Ranchi.
Sanju Samson's 82 and India's total of 249/5 set the stage for a thrilling finish. But Shai Hope's unbeaten 102 and Sherfane Rutherford's 84 powered West Indies to a six-wicket victory.
With the series now tied at 1–1, the third T20I in Indore promises another exciting contest between the two sides.
UtkalPress Sports Desk — Cricket News, Match Reports and Updates.
Source: Official match details from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
