Ranchi witnessed one of the most explosive T20 internationals in recent memory on Friday night, as the West Indies hunted down a mammoth target of 250 to beat India by six wickets in the second T20I of the five-match series. Captain Shai Hope produced a batting masterclass, remaining unbeaten on 102 off just 45 balls, to level the series 1-1 and leave the Indian bowlers searching for answers.
The JSCA International Stadium served up a run-fest that had the packed crowd on the edge of their seats. India, asked to bat first, piled up 249 for 5, powered by Sanju Samson’s blistering 82 and a strong all-round batting display. At the innings break, it looked like more than enough. Ninety minutes later, that assumption lay in ruins.
Hope plays the innings of his life
Chasing 250 was always going to need something special, and Hope delivered it. The West Indies skipper was ruthless from the start, peppering the boundaries with six fours and nine towering sixes. His second T20I century came at a strike rate well over 220, and he never let the asking rate climb out of control.
Early trouble did strike when the visitors slipped to five for two. But that only set the stage for Hope and Sherfane Rutherford to launch a breathtaking counterattack. Rutherford smashed 84 off just 37 balls, and their 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket tore the game away from India. The Windies finished the job in 18.3 overs, with nine balls to spare.
India’s bowling comes under the scanner
Defending 249 and losing by six wickets is the kind of result that triggers hard questions, and they arrived quickly. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that India’s bowling lacked quality and game awareness, arguing the team had not invested enough in developing high-class bowlers. He even suggested India should trial the SG white ball, with its prominent seam, to bring bowlers back into the game.
Captain Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, pointed to the conditions rather than his players. He blamed the heavy dew in Ranchi and the nature of the pitch, saying the margin for error was razor thin on such a surface. Even so, critics noted that Mayank Yadav, who ripped through the top order with three wickets in the powerplay, did not complete his quota of four overs, raising eyebrows about the captaincy.
- India: 249 for 5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 82, strong top-order contributions)
- West Indies: 252 for 4 in 18.3 overs (Shai Hope 102 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 84)
- Result: West Indies won by six wickets
- Series: Level 1-1, with three matches still to play
- Player of the Match: Shai Hope
What this means for the series
India had drawn first blood in the opening T20I in Lucknow, where Shreyas Iyer himself scored a century. The Ranchi defeat is a sharp reminder that this West Indies side refuses to roll over. The 252-run chase is among the highest successful chases in T20I history, and it underlines just how flat modern pitches and heavy dew have made life for bowlers.
With three games still remaining, the series is perfectly poised. India’s batting looks in fine form, with Samson and Abhishek Sharma firing at the top. But the bowling unit, missing its usual firepower, needs a quick rethink before the third T20I. The management may also have to decide whether to back Mayank Yadav with the death overs, a question former keeper Dinesh Karthik publicly raised after the match.
FAQs
What was the result of the India vs West Indies 2nd T20I?
The West Indies won by six wickets, chasing 250 in 18.3 overs. India had posted 249 for 5 after being asked to bat first in Ranchi on October 9.
How many runs did Shai Hope score?
Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 102 off 45 balls, hitting six fours and nine sixes. It was his second T20I century and the second-fastest by a West Indian.
What is the series score now?
The five-match series is level at 1-1. India won the first T20I in Lucknow, and the West Indies bounced back in the second game in Ranchi.
Why did India lose despite scoring 249?
Heavy dew made gripping the ball difficult for the bowlers, and the pitch offered little help. Shreyas Iyer cited conditions, while pundits like Ashwin questioned the bowling unit’s quality and execution.
When is the third T20I?
The series moves on with three matches remaining. The schedule and venue details for the next game are expected to be confirmed by the boards shortly.
One thing is certain: after a night of pure chaos in Ranchi, nobody will be switching off for the rest of this series. The Windies have roared back, and India has a fight on its hands.
