West Indies levelled the five-match T20I series against India in spectacular fashion on Wednesday, beating the hosts by 24 runs in the fourth T20I at Hyderabad to set up a Sunday decider in Bengaluru. Put in to bat, the visitors posted a towering 247 for 3, powered by captain Shai Hope's unbeaten 102 off 50 balls. In reply, India folded for 223 despite a blistering start from Sanju Samson, undone by Keemo Paul's five-wicket haul. It was West Indies' night from start to finish, and the series now stands at a pulsating 2-2 with everything to play for.

Hope was simply unstoppable. The West Indies captain struck four fours and nine sixes in his 50-ball masterclass, bringing up his century with a six off the final delivery of the innings. It was his third T20 international hundred, the most by any West Indian batter, and his second of this series after his century in the Ranchi chase. He was superbly supported by Sherfane Rutherford, who finished unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls in an unbroken 91-run stand off just 43 deliveries. Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer blasted 33 off 12 balls and Rovman Powell contributed 24, while the only early wicket to fall was Jewel Andrew, trapped lbw by Axar Patel for 21.

India's chase began with fireworks as Samson raced to a half-century off just 20 deliveries, launching an assault that briefly had the target looking achievable. But the collapse began when Keemo Paul struck twice in the fifth over, removing Samson for 56 and then Ishan Kishan within four balls. Shreyas Iyer fell for 16 and Abhishek Sharma for 29, and though Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy added a thrilling 70 off 32 balls to keep hope alive, the equation proved too steep. Varma fell for 43 and Paul returned to claim three wickets in the 19th over, triggering a collapse that saw India's tail fold quickly.

Paul finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 41, the defining bowling performance of the series so far. His spell earned him rich praise, and reports note he became the first visiting bowler in 19 years to achieve a T20I five-wicket-haul-type milestone against India on Indian soil. Gudakesh Motie chipped in with a key scalp, while the fielding held up under pressure. India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted afterward that his side could not execute their bowling plans, and that shortcoming proved decisive in a game decided by fine margins at the death.

The series narrative has flipped. What began as India's campaign to dominate at home has become a genuine contest, with West Indies' power-hitters repeatedly outmuscling the hosts' bowling attack. The visitors' 250-run record chase in Ranchi and now this 247-run statement in Hyderabad underline a batting unit operating with rare confidence. Tactically, West Indies have nailed the middle-overs acceleration and the death-overs finish, while India have repeatedly been forced to play catch-up. Our 4th T20I match preview had flagged the shootout potential, and the reality exceeded even that billing.

Attention now turns to Bengaluru, where the winner-takes-all decider will be played on 17 October. India will need answers to Hope's form and their own death-bowling frailty, while West Indies will sense a famous series win. Selection debates will rage, including whether India's playing XI needs a reshuffle after the middle order faltered in the 248 chase. For fantasy players, the decider is a goldmine of options, and our IND vs WI Dream11 guide remains the best starting point for team combinations at the Chinnaswamy.