Shai Hope's 102* powers West Indies to record 252-chase, Pietersen eyes IPL buzz
Synopsis
Shai Hope's ice-cool 102 off 45 balls completed the highest-ever T20I chase against India — 252 for four in Ranchi — turning a near-certain India win into a West Indies triumph. Kevin Pietersen's post-match X post predicting 'paddles in the air' at an IPL auction captures the new dimension Hope has added to his reputation in a single innings.
Key Takeaways
Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls to guide West Indies to 252 for four in 19.2 overs in the 2nd T20I in Ranchi .
The chase is the highest successful T20I run-chase against India , sealing a six-wicket victory.
Sherfane Rutherford smashed 84 off 37 balls ; he and Hope added 120 runs for the fourth wicket after West Indies slumped to 58 for three .
India had posted 249 for five , led by Sanju Samson's 82 off 41 balls and Tilak Varma's 44 .
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen posted on X that an IPL auction listing from Hope could attract significant franchise bids.
The five-match T20I series is now level at 1-1 , with the third match scheduled in Indore within 48 hours .
Shai Hope's unbeaten 102 off 45 balls guided West Indies to a historic six-wicket victory over India in the second T20I in Ranchi on 10 October, completing the highest ever successful T20I chase against India — 252 for four in 19.2 overs — and levelling the five-match series at 1-1. The performance drew immediate praise from former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who suggested Hope could command serious interest at the next Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction.
Pietersen Tips Hope for IPL Spotlight
In a post on X, Pietersen wrote: 'If Shai Hope puts his name into mini IPL auction, there might be some paddles in the air from a few tables.' The remark reflects how Hope's innings reframed the conversation around his T20 credentials — long considered secondary to his Test and ODI reputation — in a single evening in Ranchi.
Hope and Rutherford's Match-Turning Partnership
West Indies had been in serious trouble at 58 for three inside the powerplay, losing two wickets in the opening over. Sherfane Rutherford then joined Hope in the middle and the two combined for a 120-run partnership that dismantled India's bowling plans. Rutherford blazed 84 off 37 balls, providing the explosive muscle in the middle overs, while Hope held the chase together before accelerating devastatingly in the closing stages. Together, they turned what looked like a comfortable Indian win into a remarkable West Indies triumph.
India's 249 Not Enough
India had set a formidable target of 249 for five, anchored by Sanju Samson's 82 off 41 balls and a 44-run contribution from Tilak Varma. Roston Chase returned a three-wicket haul to apply pressure, and West Indies' early batting collapse briefly made the target look beyond reach. However, Hope and Rutherford's aggressive counterattack rendered the Indian total insufficient — completing the highest successful T20I run-chase against India in the format's history.
Series Context and What's Next
The result restores parity in the five-match series after India had taken a 1-0 lead following the first T20I. The two sides are set to meet again in the third match in Indore in fewer than 48 hours, with momentum now firmly on the West Indies side. Hope's ability to maintain composure while chasing down a 250-plus target will make him a name to watch — both in this series and in franchise cricket conversations to follow.
Point of View
Yet Hope's knock combined the composure of a Test finisher with a strike rate that topped 220 in the back five overs. Pietersen's X post will do its own work in franchise boardrooms. The deeper story, though, is India's bowling: conceding 252 on a Ranchi surface after posting 249 raises serious questions about death-over execution that cannot be papered over by the batting performance. With Indore in 48 hours, India's think-tank has very little time and very few answers.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did West Indies set in the Ranchi T20I against India?
West Indies chased down 252 to win by six wickets, completing the highest ever successful T20I run-chase against India. The target of 252 for four was reached in 19.2 overs on 10 October in Ranchi.
How did Shai Hope perform in the 2nd T20I?
Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls, anchoring and then accelerating the West Indies chase after they were reduced to 58 for three. His innings combined controlled strokeplay with an explosive finish that India's bowlers could not contain.
What did Kevin Pietersen say about Shai Hope and the IPL?
Pietersen posted on X: 'If Shai Hope puts his name into mini IPL auction, there might be some paddles in the air from a few tables.' The comment highlighted Hope's newfound appeal to franchise teams following his record-breaking knock.
Who else starred for West Indies in the chase?
Sherfane Rutherford scored 84 off 37 balls, sharing a match-turning 120-run partnership with Hope. Rutherford's explosive hitting in the middle overs shifted momentum decisively away from India after the early batting collapse.
What is the current state of the India vs West Indies T20I series?
The five-match series is level at 1-1 after West Indies won the second T20I in Ranchi. The third match is scheduled in Indore within 48 hours of the Ranchi result.
