Sanju Samson gave India a flying start in their chase of 248 against West Indies in the fourth T20I at Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14. The wicketkeeper-batter went after the bowlers from the outset, helping India reach 50 runs in just three overs, their fastest team fifty in T20I cricket.
However, West Indies found a breakthrough when Keemo Paul came into the attack. Samson attempted to pull a short ball over the boundary but found Shimron Hetmyer stationed at deep backward square leg. The West Indies batter produced an excellent piece of fielding near the boundary cushions to end Samson’s explosive innings and shift the momentum of the chase.
Sanju Samson attacks West Indies during India’s rapid start
Samson was in outstanding touch during the opening overs, striking the ball cleanly and putting the West Indies bowlers under immediate pressure. He scored 56 off just 23 deliveries, hitting six fours and four sixes as India raced towards the target. His aggressive approach helped India reach 50 without losing a wicket in only three overs, surpassing their previous best of three overs and one ball.
Samson took on the bowlers with confidence, while Abhishek Sharma had limited opportunities to face the strike during the rapid start. India appeared well placed to mount a serious challenge to the target, but Samson’s dismissal proved to be a crucial moment in the innings.
Shimron Hetmyer pulls off a stunning catch near the boundary
Paul struck with his first ball of the over, bowling a short delivery into Samson’s body. The Indian batter attempted to pull it over the leg side but failed to generate enough elevation to clear the boundary. Hetmyer, positioned at deep backward square leg, judged the ball superbly despite being close to the boundary cushions.
Realising that his momentum was taking him beyond the rope, he calmly lobbed the ball into the air before stepping outside the boundary and returning to complete the catch. The dismissal ended Samson’s entertaining knock and silenced the crowd in Hyderabad. West Indies struck again in the same over when Ishan Kishan was dismissed at deep mid-wicket, with Jewel Andrew taking the catch.
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Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul helps West Indies defend 247
Earlier, West Indies posted a formidable 247/3 in their 20 overs, powered by an unbeaten century from captain Shai Hope. He scored 102 not out, becoming the first West Indies batter to register three T20I hundreds. Sherfane Rutherford also made an important contribution with an unbeaten 49. India made a rapid start to the chase through Samson but struggled to maintain the momentum after his dismissal.
Gudakesh Motie removed Abhishek and Naman Dhir in the same over, putting India under further pressure as wickets continued to fall. Paul then returned to take three wickets in the 19th over, completing figures of 5/41 and becoming the first West Indies bowler to claim multiple five-wicket hauls in T20Is. India were eventually bowled out for 223, handing West Indies a 24-run victory and setting up a series decider.
Also READ: Fans react as Shai Hope and Keemo Paul star in West Indies’ win over India to level T20I series 2-2
