Hope scored a majestic 102 not out from just 52 balls, striking nine sixes and four fours, as the visitors posted a massive 247 for 3 after being put in to bat. It was the second-highest first-innings total ever recorded against India in T20 cricket, behind only England’s 257-3 earlier this year.
The West Indies skipper became the first Caribbean batter to score three T20 centuries and only the fifth player in history to register multiple hundreds in a bilateral T20 series. The innings was also his fourth century in seven innings across both ODIs and T20s on the current tour of India.
Hope shared a rapid 52-run opening stand with Jewel Andrew before adding 58 with Shimron Hetmyer. He later combined with Sherfane Rutherford for a blistering 91-run partnership off just 43 balls. Rutherford finished unbeaten on 49 from 26 deliveries as West Indies finished strongly.
India’s chase never fully recovered after a strong powerplay. Sanju Samson blasted 56 off 23 balls, but Keemo Paul struck crucial blows, removing Samson and Ishan Kishan in the fifth over. Captain Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma also fell relatively cheaply as India slipped to 130 for 5.
Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Reddy (41) offered late resistance, but Paul returned to claim three wickets in the 19th over and finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 41. India were eventually bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs.
The result sets up a thrilling series decider in Bengaluru on Saturday.