Hope’s consistency, Rutherford’s savagery help WI record 2nd-highest chase in T20Is

West Indies stunned India in the second T20I of the five-match series at the JSKA International Stadium in Ranchi. The evening started with Sanju Samson’s onslaught, which was followed by Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer’s stupendous cameos that helped the hosts post 249 runs on the board in the first innings.

At the halfway mark, things were looking comfortable for India in the middle, but the equation quickly changed in the second innings. Captain Shai Hope once again stole the show with his phenomenal knock of unbeaten 102 runs off 45 balls. Sherfane Rutherford produced a stunning show too, scoring 84 runs off just 37 balls. They stitched a partnership of 120 runs and that was arguably what pushed India out of the contest.

Towards the fag end, Romario Shepherd joined the party and played a perfect cameo to get the job done, which looked impossible at one stage. Especially after the powerplay. India were off to a cracking start with the ball, with Mayank Yadav picking up two wickets of Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer in the first over itself. In the final over of the powerplay, Rovman Powell was sent packing for 24 runs as India looked to be in control.

However, Hope and Rutherford’s partnership proved deadly as West Indies registered the second-highest chase in T20I cricket history. South Africa’s 259 run case against West Indies is at the top of the list. (India TV News Network)