Sanju Samson's explosive 82 off 41 balls and Tilak Varma's unbeaten 44 off 18 deliveries, capped by Shreyas Iyer's blistering 40 off 18 balls, fired India to a formidable 249/5 in 20 overs against the West Indies in the 2nd T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, on Friday, 9 October 2026. The total, set on a high-scoring surface, hands the West Indies a daunting chase in what is already a tightly contested bilateral series.

Samson Sets the Tone

Samson was in ferocious form from the opening over, punishing West Indies' bowlers and maximising the fielding restrictions with calculated aggression. He brought up his ninth T20I fifty off just 21 balls — equalling the fastest half-century by an Indian in T20Is against the West Indies, a record previously held by Virat Kohli, who achieved the feat at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in 2019.

Abhishek Sharma (20 off 12) provided a brisk cameo at the top before being dismissed by Roston Chase off the off-spinner's very first ball. Ishan Kishan, playing in front of his home crowd in Ranchi, was equally assured — notching 43 off 22 balls, including six fours and two sixes, before Chase bowled him in the 12th over. The pair had put on a fluent stand that carried India to 127/1 at the halfway stage, with Samson on 72 off 33 balls at that point.

Notably, Kamil Pooran and Motie both grassed catches off Samson during his innings, a lapse that proved extremely costly as the right-hander continued his onslaught. He ultimately fell for a magnificent 82 off 41 balls, laced with nine fours and four sixes — the highest individual T20I score at the Ranchi venue. The Ranchi crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked back.

West Indies Fight Back Through Chase

Off-spinner Roston Chase was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, delivering a sharp mid-innings burst that threatened to arrest India's momentum. After removing Kishan, he dismissed Shivam Dube for 7 off 10 balls, dragging the left-hander onto his stumps for his second wicket. Shamar Springer broke a brief lull in the 15th over, with Pooran — making partial amends for his earlier drop — taking a catch in the deep to send Samson back. Chase finished his four-over spell with outstanding figures of 3/24, temporarily pegging India back after the blazing powerplay.

Iyer and Tilak Deliver the Finishing Blow

With India needing a strong finish after the mid-innings wobble, skipper Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma combined to devastating effect. The pair added an incendiary 83 runs in just 32 deliveries in the death overs, seizing control back from the West Indies. Iyer smashed 40 off 18 balls, while Tilak was particularly merciless, blasting a hat-trick of maximums on his way to 44 off 18 deliveries. Naman Dhir contributed four off his solitary ball to round out the innings. Shamar Springer claimed 2/64 as the West Indies' other wicket-taker.

What the Target Means

A target of 250 at the JSCA International Stadium is among the highest set in T20 internationals at this venue and will test even the most explosive West Indies batting line-up. This comes amid a series where India's batters have put on a relentless display of aggressive intent across the order. The West Indies will need an exceptional powerplay and a collective effort deep into the innings to chase it down. All eyes now turn to how the visitors' batting unit responds under the Ranchi lights.

Brief scores: India 249/5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 82, Tilak Varma 44*; Roston Chase 3/24, Shamar Springer 2/64) vs West Indies.