India vs West Indies WI in IND, 5 T20Is, 2026

FIVE WIDES! Nearly another nasty blow, but what is Shamar Joseph even trying to do? Arshdeep Singh is constantly exposing all three stumps, and yet Joseph isn't targeting the stumps, only hampering his own figures further. Banged in quick and short and this one angles well down the leg side, past a charging Arshdeep and rolls away to the fine leg fence. Singh is in agonizing pain once again.

Arshdeep is in obvious discomfort after taking a nasty blow on his bowling arm, and the physio rushes out to take a look. He decides to stay on, but his body language says he is far from comfortable.

Ouch! Singh looks to back away again, and Joseph bowls it quick and short, darting it into the batter. Singh ends up getting cramped for room and takes a blow to the left bicep. That's a sore one to get.

Slower again, but into the pitch this time and angled into the batter. Singh comes down the pitch, looking to swing across the line but is undone by the lack of pace.

WIDE! Joseph hasn't found his rhythm at all in this series. Slower ball, trying to bowl a wide yorker but this is spilled beyond the tramline.

FOUR! Streaky! Short of a good length and around off, Arshdeep Singh backs away and goes after it, slicing it over short third for a boundary.

Shamar Joseph (2-0-35-0) will wrap it up. Can he get a wicket to improve his figures slightly? West Indies have been penalised for a slow-over rate. But that hardly matters now. But they will have to keep an extra fielder inside the inner-ring.

A dot to end a stellar spell, and Keemo Paul finishes with figures of 4-0-41-5! Full of a good length, wide outside off. Mayank Yadav swings and misses.

Keemo Paul's joy knows no bounds tonight. He cannot do anything wrong bowling-wise. Mayank Yadav is the last man in for India.

OUT! TAKEN! Take a bow, Keemo Paul! He's picked up a five-wicket haul, and West Indies are just one wicket away from victory now. Paul lands this one right at the toes of the batter, allowing no room to free the arms. Axar Patel leans on and uses the wrists to flick and sends the ball sailing down to the left of deep mid-wicket. Sherfane Rutherford runs around and pouches it safely.

No hat-trick! Paul comes around the wicket to the left-hander and angles it in on a good length, attacking the stumps. Arshdeep Singh exposes all three stumps but manages to hit it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Glum faces in the Indian dugout and a pin-drop silence in Hyderabad. West Indies are almost there. Arshdeep Singh is in at number 10 and will face the Hat Trick ball.

OUT! BOWLED! Thank you very much, says Keemo Paul to Prince Yadav, and he now has a four-fer. Slower ball, pitched up on middle, and angling it in. Yadav stays back and swings across the line, but is early in his shot. He misses out on the connection and the ball crashes into the leg stump, sending it cartwheeling out of the ground. Paul is also on a hat-trick as Prince walks back for a golden duck.

It's been a memorable evening for Keemo Paul. He has dismissed three dangerous batters - Samson, Kishan and now Reddy, who was the last hope for India. Prince Yadav is in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! Keemo Paul answers right back, and that should be that. Full and straight, getting the ball to reverse back in a bit, cramping the batter for room. Nitish Kumar Reddy tries to clear the front leg and go big over long on, but fails to get the desired connection. The ball lofts down to long on, where Rovman Powell comes in a bit and takes a simple catch.

SIX! High and long, and Nitish Kumar Reddy is keeping the fight alive for India. 36 needed off 11 balls now. Full and outside off, but in the slot. Reddy hangs back before whacking it straight back down the ground for a huge six.

WIDE! Banged in halfway down the pitch and wide outside off. This is left alone for a wide, which is called for height.

A boundary-less over by Springer. Absolutely stunning death bowling. India need 43 runs from 12 balls, with the required run rate reading 21.5. Keemo Paul will bowl his final over. 2/33 in 3 overs so far, he has been the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies tonight.

That's a top delivery to end the over, and only 5 runs come off the 18th over of the chase. Yorker-length, nailed at the toes. Nitish Kumar Reddy just about manages to smother it away to the on side for a single.

Excellent bowling from Springer. Pace off, into the pitch and slanted well across off. Patel ends up stabbing it across to mid-wicket as he tries to pull and only picks up a single.

Pace on this time, speared in at the toes. Axar clips it away through mid-wicket and the batters race back for two runs.

Springer keeps the line outside off, and brings out the slower bumper now. Patel looks to upper-cut but fails to reach it. Two golden dot balls in a row for West Indies.

Full and wide, angling it across the left-hander. Axar Patel reaches out to angle it away, but ends up squeezing it off the toe end, and the ball goes nowhere.

Short of a length and outside off, swung away aerially down to wide long on for a single.

Is that the game sealed for the West Indies? They are over the moon and are heading closer to the equaliser in this series. Axar Patel is in at number 8. He is no mug with the bat, but hasn't been in the greatest of touch batting-wise lately. Can he produce something extraordinary for his team tonight with Reddy going well at the other end?

OUT! CAUGHT! Stunned silence once again inside the stadium. 48 more needed off 18 balls. Romario Shepherd shows nerves of steel as he bowls a slower ball, and pitches it full and outside off. Tilak Varma is hanging back and looks to power it away but loses his shape and ends up slicing it high over extra cover. Rovman Powell is one of the safest catchers in this Windies side and he covers good ground from long off to take the catch. Varma's fighting knock comes to an end.

Good work in the deep, but the 200 comes up for India now. A full toss on the stumps, Tilak Varma leans far back and swings it away, flat and wide of mid-wicket. Sherfane Rutherford runs around to his right from deep mid-wicket and cuts it off, keeping it down to two runs.

Nicely bowled. Romario now jams in a wide yorker and gets it spot-on, bowling it with a very slingy arm. Reddy digs it out into the off side and picks up a single.

WIDE! The slower bouncer from Shepherd, dug in well short and outside off. Left alone on height by NKR.

Shorter in length, pushed wider of the off stump. Varma crashes it through the off side, picking up a single towards sweeper cover.

Dug in well short and over leg, slower too. Varma reads it well and moves inside the line, but misses to connect.

SIX! The Windies pacers are missing their lengths, and the Indian batters are piling on the sixes. A low full toss, angled across off. Tilak Varma hangs well deep in the crease and powers it down the ground for a biggie.

After 16 overs, India are 189/5. West Indies were 185/3 at the same stage. The hosts need 59 runs from 24 balls and it sets up for a thrilling finish here in Hyderabad. Looks like the ball is being exchanged. The fourth umpire is out with a box of replacements. The needful is done and Romario Shepherd (2-0-21-0) is brought back on.

SIX! Swung away over the ropes and the Hyderabad crowd has found its voice again. Joseph bashes a good length now, but ends up serving it more in the slot, on off and middle. Reddy hangs back and clobbers it flat over long on for another biggie. 59 needed now off 24 balls.

SIX! Joseph errs in line again and pays the price. A low full toss on leg stump, missing the yorker, and Nitish Kumar Reddy gets under it well, flicking it high and long over deep backward square leg for a biggie. 15 off the over already.

The physio is out for a mandatory concussion test for Reddy. He looks alright to continue but that was a lethal one from Joseph.

Geez, that is a sharp bumper by Shamar Joseph. Banged in short and around off, angling it in. Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to pull but is hurried on and the ball smashes into the helmet before going towards point. The fielder at point springs across and fails to pouch it, resulting in a single. However, the fielder then fires in a wide throw at the bowler's end and concedes an overthrow. Gudakesh Motie, who is backing up from deep mid-wicket, ends up scoring a direct hit at the keeper's end, but replays show that NKR is in. Amidst all this, there is also going to be a concussion check.

WIDE! Oh, that's a very close call. A searing yorker, just slipping down the leg side. Nitish Kumar Reddy does well to leave it alone and actually, the replays show that the ball is inside that red line.

Hammered in a hard length around off, Reddy hangs back and powers the pull wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Easy pickings. Too full and down leg, NKR helps it on its way and the ball races away between the keeper and short fine leg for a boundary.

What's going on here? On-field umpire Nitin Menon walks up to Keemo Paul for a word, and Shai Hope soon joins the conversation. It isn't clear what it’s about, but the commentators on air reckon Menon wasn't happy with Paul slamming the ball into the ground. Was he looking to scuff it up for some reverse swing? Whatever it was, it sounds like Paul has been handed a warning.

Joseph hits a hard length, bowling it over middle and darting it back in. Nitish Kumar Reddy leans back to pull but gets more off and an inside edge down to short fine leg.

India's hopes are dwindling as they need 80 runs off 30 balls. They do bat deep, and there's Axar Patel still to come, but for now, West Indies are ahead in the game. Shamar Joseph (1-0-18-0) is back into the attack, replacing Gudakesh Motie.

Full and straight, just outside off, Nitish smashes it hard, but to Keemo Paul at mid off for just a single.

SIX! Clean strike, but India need more of those. Plenty of those actually. Very full outside off, Nitish swings through the line and thumps it powerfully over long off for a six.

Short of a length and outside off, and Varma swings through it like a tennis forehand, sending it down to long off for a single.

Wide! Keeps it away from the arc, but goes beyond the tramline, pitching just inside the cutstrip. Tilak lets it through. The umpires take a second look at it, and they are satisfied that it's a wide.

At 128.5 kph, this is full on the stumps, Nitish cannot get under it and mistimes the heave off the inner half of the bat. The ball rolls to deep mid-wicket for a single only.

Pushes it wide outside off, a yorker from Springer. Tilak covers the stumps and throws his bat with all might but only manages an underedge that rolls to the left of the keeper. One run taken.

Almost a yorker that tails into the batter, Nitish Kumar Reddy carves it straight down the ground for a single.

Shamar Springer is brought back into the attack now.

11 runs off the over, which is a good one for the tourists at this stage. A bit too full on the leg stump, angling in. Reddy drills it down to long on for a single.

That's darted in at 96.5 kph, short on leg. Varma plays off the back foot and nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Two is the call and they will get it! Not all that short on the leg stump, Tilak hangs back and tucks it through the square leg region for a two more.

Full on leg, Tilak lunges and clips it through vacant mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone. Flatter and fuller outside the leg stump. Tilak Varma goes for the reverse sweep but gets beaten. And due to the batter's movement, Shai Hope gets blinded and cannot act quickly with the ball rifling to the fence behind. 150 up for India, and they need 98 from 40 balls.

Pitched fuller by Motie, on middle, Nitish flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Swing and a miss! Slanted outside off, on a good length. It lands and stays low just a touch, which outfoxes the batter. Tilak shuffles a bit to the off side, gets low on a knee to pull it across but misses to connect with the ball skidding low.

Wide! A bumper now that goes well over head height, outside off. Tilak leaves.

Another deceptive slower delivery, on a length, on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy tries to nudge it across to the leg side but closes his bat face early. A leading edge is found and the ball rolls through cover for a single.

Short of a length, slow at 114.9 kph, wide outside off, Tilak Varma moves across and drags it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Banged short on middle, Reddy swivels and pulls it to the left of Hetmyer at deep backward square leg for a single.

Angles the ball away, short in length, Tilak moves to the off side by covering his stumps and heaves it to the mid on region for a single only.

Wide! Wayward and far outside the tramline, on off. Varma leaves.

SIX! He has picked the bones out of it! That's not an easy shot to execute but he made it look so easy. Short of a length, outside off, Varma fetches it and magnificently pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

One of the zing bails doesn't seem to be working and it is being replaced now.

Wide! Short and miles outside off, Tilak leaves.

Time to bring Shamar Joseph back on? Nope, not yet. Keemo Paul (2-0-20-2) comes back into the attack as Shai Hope goes searching for another wicket.

Pushed through, full on the leg stump, Tilak steers it through square leg for a single. An exceptional over from Motie. Two massive wickets and just six runs from it.

No hat-trick. Full and tossed up nicely, on middle, Nitish leans on and drives it to long on for a single.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, another local boy, now comes out to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! STUMPED! Two in two for Motie and India are under tremendous pressure now.  Drifts in and lands it fuller, in front of middle stump, and grips off the surface. Dhir lunges forward and pushes at it, but he plays inside the line. The ball spins past the outside edge and settles into the gloves of Shai Hope, who whips the bails off in a flash. Slick glovework. Hope goes up with a confident appeal for the stumping, and the on-field umpires send it upstairs. A couple of angles are checked to see whether Dhir’s back leg lifted off the ground. The side-on replays show that it did lift, but it was grounded again almost immediately. Now it all comes down to whether that happened before or after the bails came off. The front-on replay, along with a zoomed side-on angle, shows that Dhir’s back leg is still in the air when the bails come off, and that’s the end of him. A good umpiring display as well. Dhir is not happy and trudges off. India are 130/5, needing another 118 runs from 50 balls.

Is that stumped? Shai Hope seems fairly confident, and the third umpire is called in to have a look. This looks very close, and a zoomed replay is required. The time when the bails are dislodged and Naman Dhir's back foot touches the ground is nearly identical. But the replay from square leg shows that when the bails first light up, Dhir's foot is millimeters in the air, and after checking from every angle, the third umpire signals OUT.

The next batter is Naman Dhir.

OUT! CAUGHT! Stunned silence in Hyderabad. Motie strikes and is pumped up and so are the Men in Maroon. Gudakesh bowls a full ball, outside off, Abhishek Sharma cannot quite underneath it and goes through the shot in an attempt to sail it behind long off, but there's no timing or distance and he ends up offering a straightforward catch to Shamar Springer at long off. That's 50th T20I wicket for Motie, and India are 130/4, needing 118 runs to win from 51 balls.

Floated up, full and on the middle stump, Abhishek tries to slog it over square leg but mistimes it off the inner half to short fine leg.

FOUR! Greeted with a boundary! A smidge shorter by Motie, outside off, Abhishek Sharma pounces on it quickly and carves it over backward point for a boundary.

Roston Chase is bowled out. Will Shai Hope risk Gudakesh Motie with two left-handers out in the middle? Yes, he does, because he is running out of other options.

SIX! Flies into the stands! Romario lands it full on the leg stump. Tilak Varma keeps moving in the crease, bends low a bit to reach in front by crouching his back leg and nails the flick shot aerially. Gets enough power to clear deep square leg for a six.

FOUR! Powered away through the gap! Slightly back of a length, outside off, Tilak covers the stumps and tonks it over extra cover for a boundary. Good hit.

Nagging length, down the leg stump line. Tilak swings hard to pull but fails to connect. Again, it is deemed a fair delivery as the ball hasn't breached the red line near the leg stump. Tilak is a bit perplexed but gets on with it.

That's hurried him up! At a searing pace on a length, on top of the stumps. Tilak Varma looks to pull but gets beaten comprehensively on the inside edge.

Short and slow, on top of middle, Abhishek stands tall, kind of hook-pulls it through backward square leg for a single.

Seeing Abhishek moving across off to play the paddle, Shepherd fires it on the leg stump, full in length. Abhishek gets on a knee, swings and misses. He looks at the umpire for a wide, but it is a fair delivery as the ball passed within the red guideline.

Drinks Break! India need 133 off the last 60 balls. They have been scoring at 11.5 an over, but the asking rate has climbed to 13.3, so the hosts are a touch behind the eight ball right now. In the rarest of cases, Abhishek Sharma is 24 (19), forced to play the anchor. That's because Samson's ballistic 56 powered India to a strong launchpad, but with three wickets down, India are under a bit of pressure and need these two, or at least one of them, to play till the end. There are no real signs of dew just yet, which is a bit of a relief for the bowlers, and of all, Keemo Paul has starred with a couple of big wickets to his name. We haven't seen Motie into the attack yet. And he will have to wait as Romario Shepherd is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far.

A single to end the over, and India are 115/3 after the first 10 overs. Dragged length around leg, sliding onto the batter. Sharma stays back and stabs it down through wide mid on for a run.

Flatter delivery on off, eased away off the back foot and to the right of Keemo Paul at point for a quick single.

Nicely bowled. Flighted up from over the wicket, not all that full and on leg. Varma leans on to flick but is undone by the extra bounce and wears it on the body.

FOUR! That's stellar placement. Length ball, angled back in with the arm. Tilak Varma rocks back and punches it against the angle and well to the right of Gudakesh Motie, at deep extra cover for a boundary.

Fractionally shorter and outside off, hit away off the back foot and down to deep backward point for a single.

Oh, Abhishek Sharma nearly gets outfoxed. Sharma is early to step out, and Chase holds it back nicely, darting it wide of the off stump. Sharma adjusts and manages to reach it, tapping it down to cover.

India need 140 runs from 66 balls. Roston Chase will bowl out. 0/36 in 3 overs so far. He replaces Keemo Paul.

Full and outside off again, hit away firmly down to long off for a single.

SIX! Not the prettiest shot, but very smart batting by Abhishek. Pitched much fuller and angled across off. Sharma goes deep in the crease, moving to the off side and powers it straight down the ground for a biggie.

WIDE! Close call, one with which Shai Hope doesn't seem to agree. Slower bumper, banged in halfway down the pitch and angled across off. Sharma tries to reach across and pull but misses.

Back of a length, slanted well across off. Varma stays back and taps it down through backward point for a run. 100 up for India in 8.4 overs.

Buzzers! A well-judged single and Tilak Varma even picks up an overthrow here. This is served full and outside off, Varma stabs it to the right of mid off and sets off for a single. Keemo Paul gets across and fires in a direct hit at the bowler's end, and the ball deflects away, resulting in an extra run. There is a quick run-out check, but Varma is well home.

A massive blow to the Men in Blue as their skipper falls. West Indies are in the ascent right now. Tilak Varma is in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! A second catch in the deep for Jewel Andrew, and India are now 3 down for 97. There's a No Ball check, but Shamar Springer has some part of his foot behind the line, so all is fine. Shamar Springer bowls it just short of a good length, taking the line wide outside off. Shreyas Iyer goes chasing after it and ends up slicing it high towards deep third. Andrew comes in from the deep and takes a safe catch.

Iyer shouts 'two, two, two,' and they get it with ease. Pitched up on off stump, shaping back in. Iyer moves inside the line and heaves it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

Shamar Springer (1-0-10-0) is back on and replaces Roston Chase. FYI, West Indies, at the same stage, were 109/1.

Good length outside off, hit away down to long on for a single. 11 off the over, and 153 more are needed off 72 balls.

FOUR! Flat-batted over the infield! Slower one into the pitch, at 119.5 kph. This is way too short and outside off, and Iyer has enough time to pick his spot and slams it over mid off for a boundary.

On the bounce! Length ball around off, trying to angle it away. Sharma stays back and slams it wide of Rovman Powell at long off for a single.

FOUR! That'll help the batter get going. Full and angled down leg, Sharma flicks it between the keeper and short fine leg, picking up a free boundary.

Much fuller now and outside off, Shreyas Iyer goes back and across, looking to launch it downtown but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls to backward point for just a single.

Banged in short at 138 kph, getting the ball to just nibble away from around off. Shreyas Iyer ducks and lets it pass.

Change of ends for Keemo Paul. 2/9 in 1 over so far.

The call is for two, but Iyer will have to settle for a single. Flighted up on a length, turning into the pads. Iyer works it away through mid-wicket for a single. Just 4 off the over, a good comeback by Chase after that extremely expensive previous over.

Sharma hasn't quite found his timing tonight, so far, that is. Fractionally short and around leg, Sharma rocks back and snatches at the pull, hitting it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Chase drifts this one onto the pads, and Iyer clips it down to deep square leg for one more run.

A touch fuller and flatter, at the stumps. Sharma stays back and pushes it through covers for a single.

Short of a good length again, on middle and leg, and Sharma tucks it into the leg side.

Chase drags the length back, angling it across the left-hander. Sharma tries to use his feet and swing it leg side, but ends up chopping it off the under edge.

What an intense fight we are witnessing in Hyderabad tonight! India's 80/2 meets West Indies' 79/1 after the Powerplay. Nothing really separates the two teams right now. Roston Chase (2-0-32-0) is brought back into the attack. He replaces Keemo Paul.

FOUR! Shreyas Iyer finishes the Powerplay in style, and India are 80/2. Short of a length, but wide outside off. Iyer gets on his toes and smacks it wide of the point region for a boundary.

Springer goes full again but darts this one well into the pads, knowing that Sharma will try to give himself room. Abhishek Sharma does get cramped up and misses the flick, getting it off the pads to point for a leg bye.

FOUR! Lofted away and bisecting the fielders for a boundary. This is pitched up to the stumps, Sharma gives himself a lot of room and launches it over covers. The ball thuds into the turf and skips away, beating the chasing fielders from cover and deep point.

That's well bowled. A bumper at 133.2 kph, pitching it around the leg stump line, right at the batter. Sharma crouches down and has a waft at it but the ball sails past him.

Pushed a bit fuller and sliding it into the pads, Iyer moves inside the line and clips it behind square leg for one more.

Springer starts with a good-length ball over middle and off. Abhishek Sharma skips down the track to swing it leg side, but mistimes it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Good length, at the ribs, Sharma moves a step across to the off side before nudging it towards wide mid-wicket for a quick single.

Short of a length, outside off, Iyer hopson the toes and cuts it to deep backward square leg for a single to open his account.

A double-whammy for Keemo Paul, and that brings the Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Six and out for Kishan and Paul is over the moon. He goes with pace this time, and lands it full on the leg stump line. Ishan Kishan tries to whip it over deep mid-wicket with a helicopter shot but mistimes it as the bat twists a bit at the point of contact. The result? It comes crashing down and dips on the fielder. Jewel Andrew is patrolling the boundary in that region and crouches a bit to complete a straightforward catch. India are 67/2, needing 181 runs in 92 balls.

SIX! In the arc, out of the park! A slower one by Keemo, the off-cutter on a fuller length, on off. Ishan Kishan gets the front foot cleared and bludgeons it over long on for a biggie to get off the mark.

Wide! That just flew off the runway! Very short on the leg stump, Ishan goes for the pull shot but is beaten all ends up due to excessive bounce and the ball springs over his head.

Hammers it on a length, on off. Kishan knocks it to the cover region.

Abhishek Sharma's Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate, Ishan Kishan, joins him out in the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Bringing on Keemo Paul turns out to be an inspiring bowling change by Hope. He bowls it short into the pitch, and angles it on the leg stump to cramp the batter for space. Sanju still goes for the pull shot, playing it aerially but the ball seemingly got a bit big on him and hence, he fails to get the timing. Shimron Hetmyer lurks in the deep for the catch and he takes a good catch, but knowing that his momentum is taking him over the ropes, he first tosses the ball up, gets back in the playing area and completes the catch in the second attempt. The TV umpire finds no issues with that and deems a clean catch. India are 60/1 in 4.1 overs, chasing 248 runs.

Fair catch? Seems like it, but the umpires have gone upstairs to check. Great composure shown by Shimron Hetmyer on the ropes and replays confirm that he's managed to take it cleanly. OUT!

Keemo Paul comes into the attack, replacing Roston Chase.

Fuller delivery, outside off, Sanju attempts to loft it over extra cover but inside edges. The ball squirts to the leg side and they scamper through for a single.

FOUR! Fluently played! A loosener by Shepherd, full on the pads. Sanju Samson uses his wrists and flicks it behind square, finding the gap between deep mid-wicket and short fine leg for a boundary. He is looking absolutely unstoppable right now.

FIFTY FOR SANJU SAMSON! From just 20 balls to get to his 10th T20I half-century, to go with three centuries. Pitched short and outside off, Sanju Samson backs away and powerfully clobbers it through extra cover for a boundary.

Slightly fuller than a length, on leg, Samson knocks it hard to the right of mid off. A good diving stop there by the fielder.

Tight single! On a length, on off and Abhishek taps it to backward point. Sanju calls him through for a single and he responds quickly. The fielder picks and throws in a motion but misses his shy at the batting end, allowing Samson to drag his bat in the crease.

Back of a length, on middle and leg. Abhishek Sharma looks to pull it to the leg side but the ball skids to beat his inside edge and hits the thigh pad.

Well, we thought West Indies got a fast start, but this is even better from India. Here's the first bowling change for West Indies, as Romario Shepherd comes on to bowl.

FOUR! This is Sanju at his very best! Drag-downer by Chase, on the leg stump. Sanju swivels and nails the pull shot through deep square leg for a boundary. 50 up for India in just 3 overs. Abhishek has just been a by-stander in this mayhem unleashed by Samson.

SIX! It's raining sixes from Sanju's bat as he has galloped to 43 off just 17. Chase comes from around the stump now and lands it into the slot, on off. Sanju stands still and fluently launches it down the ground for another half a dozen runs.

Low full toss on the pads, Sanju neatly clips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of more runs.

A touch short and drifting into the batter, Samson hangs back and whips it to widish deep square leg for two runs.

SIX! SHOT OF THE MATCH! Flatter and quicker, fuller around off, Sanju stays leg side of the ball, keeps his head still as his bat comes down in a flow and hammers it over extra cover for a massive six. The on-air graphic shows that India have completed 2000 T20I sixes as a team.

FOUR! Finds the gap perfectly! A bit too full from Chase, outside offf, Samson carves it powerfully to the right of the diving cover-point fielder for a boundary.

Wide! Roston sees the batter shuffle to the leg side and darts it far down leg, full in length. Samson lets it be. Hope does well to get a bit of glove to his left and makes a half-stop.

Roston Chase to continue...

Good heat on this one, at 145.8 kph, short on leg. Sanju tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single. An expensive start for Joseph as he concedes 18 runs off his first.

SIX MORE! Even better! Straight into the wheelhouse, full on middle, Sanju backs away to create room for himself and with no intention to keep it down, he smokes it over long off for a cracking six. That is Sanju Samson's 100th T20I six, informs Ravi Shastri on air.

SIX! Right out of the sweet spot of the bat! Shamar overcooks this as a half-volley on the leg stump, Sanju Samson picks the length in a trice and sends it soaring behind deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

FOUR! That was extremely rapid by Shamar! Dug in short on the leg stump line. The extra bounce surprises Samson as he tries to play the hook shot over square leg. Gets a bit of a glove on it and the ball flies between short third and the keeper for a boundary.

Short of a length, nipping in, Sanju arches back and guides it on the bounce to Powell at short third. Oh dear! Shamar Joseph has overstepped here and No Ball is signlled. Free Hit to come with Samson on strike.

Beaten! Banged into the pitch, angling into the batter on top of leg. Sanju Samson is cut in half as he looks to pull but gets cramped for room. The ball stays a touch low to beat his inside edge and passes scarily close to the leg stump on its way to the keeper behind.

Cannons in a short ball that kicks up a bit, at the ribs of the batter, Sanju rides the bounce and fends it to mid-wicket.

It will be Shamar Joseph to steam in from the other end.

Spears in a yorker on the stumps, does Roston. Sanju Samson clips it to the vacant mid-wicket region. Chase himself chases the ball and keeps the batters to a single. 7 from the first over then.

A touch short on the leg stump, Abhishek gets off the mark with a gently tap to the left of mid on for a single.

Darts it short on the leg stump, Samson steers it to widish square leg for a single.

Around off and short, Sanju tries to lift it over the bowler again but mistimes it off the inner half of the bat. The ball trickles to the right of mid off where Shamar Springer makes a good diving stop and surely saves a few runs.

Floated on a length, on middle, Sanju stays put and knocks it to mid off. Abhishek looks to take a single but Sanju sends him back on a sharp call.

FOUR! Off the mark in style! Short by Chase, on off, Sanju Samson stands tall, waits for the ball to arrive and hammers it dead-straight over the bowler's head for a boundary, beating long on to his left.

SIX! HUNDRED FOR SHAI HOPE! From just 50 balls. That's his second ton in this series and overall, his 4th century on this Indian tour, including two in the ODI series as well. No doubt he absolutely loves to play against this opposition. A huge 19 runs come off the over and West Indies finish at 247/3! Another missed yorker from Nitish, and this one turns into a juicy full toss angling into the batter. Hope clears the front leg but doesn't time it well, and the ball goes up at a catchable height to the left of Tilak Varma at long on. He moves across and gets his hands to it, but perhaps loses it in the floodlights, and the ball bursts through his hands and lands on the rope on the full. The TV umpire confirms the same and Hope is received with a standing ovation from everyone in Hyderabad.

Has that gone the distance? It doesn't matter if it's a four or a six in terms of Hope's century.  But yes, it has gone straight onto the ropes.

SIX! That's a mammoth strike. The new blade being put to good use by the skipper. Nitish misses the yorker this time around and feeds in a full toss on middle. Easy pickings for Hope as he uses all his might to smoke it massively over long on for an enormous hit. Hope moves to 96! Can he get to his century?

With 2 balls left in the innings, Shai Hope asks for a change of bat. He needs 10 runs for a century, and maybe he's looking for his lucky bat. Can Hope notch up another ton in this series?

Another outstanding yorker, outside off, Rutherford shovels it away to backward point for a single. This has been an excellent over by Nitish so far. Just 7 runs with a couple of balls to go.

This is good bowling! Nearly a yorker outside off, Shai Hope cannot get underneath it and drills it down to long on for a single only.

Well-executed yorker on middle, Sherfane jams the bat down and carves it wide of backward point for a single.

FOUR! The runs just keep flowing. Low full toss from around the stump, outside off. Sherfane Rutherford shuffles a bit and fetches it and swings it across, finding the gap at deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (2-0-20-0) is back on to close out the first innings. Also, India are penalized for a slow over rate, and will be allowed only 4 fielders outside the inner ring.

Very full, on leg, Sherfane Rutherford strokes it down to long on for a single. Still a decent over as 10 runs come from it. 1/36 for Prince tonight.

In the air... falls short! Mayank didn't look comfortable with his movement as that was within his reach. Looked a bit stiff there. Short and into the body, 140.2 kph from Prince, and it climbs on Rutherford, who is caught off guard. He goes for the hook and miscues it off the top edge, and the ball barely clears the inner circle over short fine leg. The fielder, Mayank Yadav, is a tad late to react, moves a couple of yards to his right but cannot even get his hands on the ball as it drops down. They scamper back for two.

Outside off and fuller in length, Hope throws his bat at it and smears it to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! Clean, pure, beautiful. Running out of adjectives to describe Hope's innings tonight. Misses the yorker and slips in a full toss on middle. Shai brings out the mini-helicopter shot to whip it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

A fuller delivery on middle and leg, this is flicked behind square on the leg side for a single.

Almost a yorker, on off, Shai hammers it to the cover region and sets off for a quick single. Shreyas Iyer there picks and throws in a motion to the bowling end but misses his shy. Had the throw hit, Hope was not even in the frame but he gets a single eventually.

Prince Yadav (3-0-26-1) to bowl the crucial penultimate over.

Low full toss, far outside off, Rutherford tries to access the off side but inside edges onto the pitch. An expensive outing for Arshdeep as he goes all over the shop. 1/52 in 4 overs for him.

Fuller than a length, outside off, Sherfane Rutherford plants his back knee into the pitch and smashes it a bit uppishly to the right of the cover fielder. The man there flings himself and makes a half-stop. He manages to take the sting out of it as the ball slows in the outfield before it is hunted down by Axar from deep point. Two runs taken.

Wide! He has completely rattled Arshdeep here. Another misfired delivery, outside the tramline on off. Rutherford leaves. That's the third wide of the over.

Wide full toss now, Sherfane misses out to carve it away and gets a thick inside edge that goes on the bounce to the right of Samson behind stumps. Rutherford curses himself for missing out to put that away.

SIX! That's gone a long, long way! Astonishing hit by Rutherford. Tails into the left-hander, low onto the pads. Sherfane Rutherford takes it on the full, and just unleashes a muscular hit down the ground for a big six. Straight as an arrow.

Wide! Tries to keep it away from the batter's hitting arc, and spills out another wayward delivery that breaches the guideline. Rutherford sees it through.

At 133.8 kph, this is a perfectly executed wide yorker. Sherfane Rutherford gets a bit crouched to carve it over backward point, but misses to lay bat on the ball.

Wide! Far away from the batter, beyond the tramline on the off side. Rutherford lets it through.

Wide yorker, outside off, Sherfane reaches out but fails to dig it away.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has bowled a couple of very decent overs. Will he continue? Or will Prince Yadav or Arshdeep Singh be brought on in a bid to break this stand? It is the latter, and Arshdeep Singh is back on.

Geez, that's smacked so hard. An attempted yorker on middle, tailing in a touch. Sherfane Rutherford brings his strong bottom hand to play and rifles it gun-barrel straight down the ground. The on-field umpire just manages to get out of the firing line as the ball goes flat. Dhir sprints to his left from long off and pulls off a fantastic diving stop to hold it back to a single.

SIX! It is raining sixes in Hyderabad! From around the stump, this is pitched fuller and on middle. Sherfane Rutherford clears the front leg and whips it powerfully behind deep backward square leg for a massive six. The 50-run stand is up between this pair. 21 runs off the over with a ball to go.

FOUR! Just short of Dhir and four! 200 up for the West Indies. Full and on off stump, 142.7 kph, and the batter lofts it towards long-off, where Dhir is stationed. He sprints in from the boundary and has a split-second decision to make, to go for the catch or take it on the bounce. He half commits to the catch, dives forward, and the ball sneaks under him and runs away to the fence for four.

SIX! That has got a flight number attached to it! Short of a length, on middle and leg, Sherfane Rutherford picks the length in a trice and sends it sailing deep into the stands behind deep mid-wicket. A 92-meter hit from the muscular Guyanese.

Fuller delivery, on off, Shai tries to hammer it downtown but miscues the shot off the toe end of the bat. It goes on the bounce to long off for a single.

FOUR! Finds the gap with precision! A long half-volley angling in on the leg stump. Shai Hope gets his front leg out of the way and smokes it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

Prince Yadav to bowl out? Nope, it will be Mayank Yadav to come back in and finish his spell.

Yes, he can! Just 8 runs off the over. Slips in a full toss that tails in a bit, Shai Hope backs away and whips it to deep square leg for a single.

A yorker outside off, Sherfane jams the bat down and carves it to the left of short third for a single. Been a decent over so far, can NKR finish it well?

FOUR! Gets it through! Wide full toss, far outside off, Sherfane Rutherford throws his bat at it, and deliberately opens the bat face to slice it between the keeper and short third for a boundary.

Pitched fuller on the stumps, Shai Hope clears the front leg to make room. Tries to swing it over long on but fails to get underneath the ball and mistimes it on the bounce towards Tilak for a single.

Nails the yorker by using the wider angle from around the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford shuffles to the off side and digs it down to long on for a single.

Wide yorker, outside off, Sherfane Rutherford stretches to reach out, tries to carve it away but misses to connect.

Last 5 overs left. Seven wickets in hand, two proper ball-strikers in the middle. 250 shouldn't be difficult to achieve for the tourists.

Very full again and on off, driven firmly and along the turf to deep point for a run. 9 off the over, a decent one given the way this innings is going.

That's well bowled! A straight yorker, and Prince lands it right on the popping crease. Rutherford has to just dig it out.

Oh, Prince just bails out right before bowling. Probably lost his run-up and walks back to reload.

FOUR! This time Rutherford doesn't miss out. Another short ball, around hip height and down leg. Rutherford swivels and helps it down to the vacant long leg fence for a boundary.

Full and straight, heaved away across the line to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Slower and shorter, down leg. Rutherford looks to pull but only manages to get a tickle on it. The ball goes down to the right of the keeper and Sanju Samson does well to dive across and stop it on the half-volley. Single taken.

Overthrows! Pitched up on off stump, Rutherford leans on and pushes it straight to mid off, setting off for a single as well. Tilak Varma has a shy at the bowler's end but firs his throw wide and allows Rutherford to pick up the second run.

Who will be back? Prince or Mayank? The former. Prince Yadav (2-0-17-1) returns.

An easy two this time, and Hope picks up 12 runs off the over. Full and straight, on the popping crease. Hope bunts it out towards wide mid-wicket and steals a couple of runs as the bowler has to chase it down himself.

Good, positive running. Full and outside off, Shai Hope drills it on the full and wide of deep cover for a couple of runs more.

SIX! Smashed! NKR goes for the bumper, digging it in short around off, but at his pace, the batter has time to line it up. Hope lays into the pull and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Full and speared in at the toes, Shai Hope stylishly clips it away wide of the fielder at deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

That should have been put away. A juicy full toss on off stump, Hope ends up punching it straight to Tilak Varma at cover yet again.

Hard length over off, Hope stands tall and crunches a drive on the up, but finds the fielder at cover.

Nitish Kumar Reddy will have a bowl now. Bowler number 6 for India.

Ooh, nearly another edge. Pitched full and in the channel outside off, the ball reverses a bit and tails back in. Sherfane Rutherford has a poke at it but is beaten past the outside edge. The abrasive nature of the surface is making the ball reverse a bit now.

Arshdeep breaks the 46-run partnership. Powell was just looking to switch gears but falls. Sherfane Rutherford walks in at number 5.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A huge roar from the crowd as a budding stand is broken, and this has been a pretty good comeback over by Arshdeep Singh. He's tried to keep the length full, and he is rewarded for it. Full and wide, almost in the blockhole and hugging the tramline as the ball keeps reversing away from the right-hander. Powell throws his hands at it but plays well away from his body and edges it through to the keeper. Sanju Samson makes no mistake and West Indies are now 156/3.

WIDE! Not too far away, but it will be an extra. Singh goes for the leg-stump yorker, getting the length spot-on, but the line is just wide of the red line past the leg stump.

Back to over the wicket for Powell. Singh serves a near-perfect wide yorker. Powell looks to reach for it but squirts it off the inside edge and down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Another full toss as Singh goes searching for the yorker, angled in on middle and leg. Hope clips it down to long on and picks up a single.

Gets away with it, does Singh. A full toss from around the wicket, wide of the off stump and tailing away. Shai Hope ends up having to reach for it and toe-ends it to cover.

Good length, pushed wide of the off stump, nearly past the tramline. Powell goes well across and drags it on one knee towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

33 runs from the last 2 overs for West Indies. 250 looks pretty much on the cards if they keep going like this. No Nitish yet. It's Arshdeep Singh (2-0-36-0) back into the attack.

SIX! Clattered over the ropes. 22 off the over, and 150 comes up for West Indies now. Length again, in and around off, Shai Hope keeps a still head as he powers it flat over deep extra cover for a six.

Good-length delivery, darted back into the batter. Powell rocks back and jabs it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Not where Powell intended it to go, but it's good enough. Length ball on off and middle, Powell sits down to scoop and gets a top edge straight back over the keeper's head, resulting in another boundary.

SIX! One shot is all it takes to bring back confidence for these athletes. Axar drags the length back a bit, but Rovman Powell gives the charge and tonks it over long on for a biggie.

FOUR! Powell has his problems against left-arm spin, but this will make him feel at ease. Fuller and straighter, Powell shuffles inside the line and plays the lap sweep, getting it fine and down to fine leg for a boundary.

Flatter one on the pads, tucked away neatly in front of square leg for a single.

Change in bowling? Nope. Axar Patel (3-0-23-1) will bowl out.

That's jagged back in. Back of a length again, landing it outside off at 135.6 kph. Powell sets up to pull but the ball comes in and catches the thigh guard before going to the right of the keeper. Sanju Samson dives across and manages to cling on.

Short of a length, pulled off the inside half of the blade and down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! FIFTY for Shai Hope, and he's been unstoppable on this tour. Yadav serves it fuller and at the stumps, Hope hangs back, makes a bit of room and lays into the shot, launching it high over long off for a biggie.

Back of a length, at 144.2 kph and darted sharply into the batter. Powell gets hurried for pace and gets an inside edge onto the chest. The ball drops behind leg stump and the batters sneak in a single.

That's excellent work in the deep from Ishan Kishan. Banged into the deck and around off, keeping a bit low. Rovman Powell pummels it off the back foot and to the left of deep backward square leg, but Kishan races across and dives in to save a couple of runs.

A skiddy short ball around off, Shai Hope stands tall and looks to pull but mistimes it well short of the deep mid-wicket fielder and picks up a single.

DRINKS BREAK! At the midway stage of their innings, West Indies are scoring at nearly 12 runs an over, which is an excellent platform to launch from. However, India will feel they are back in it, given a couple of quiet overs on the trot. We have seen 250 being chased down in this series, so no one really knows what will actually be a good score. The Windies batters will keep pressing, which is the norm, and India will hope that it brings them wicket-taking opportunities as well. Also, Mayank Yadav (2-0-19-0) is back into the attack.

Darts it short on middle, Hope creates room and punches it along the ground to long off for a single. Just 9 runs from the last 2 overs and at the halfway of the first innings, West Indies are 118/2.

Good running between the wickets! These two are good athletes. Drifts one onto the pads, on a good length. Shai Hope steers it through widish square leg and they hustle back for the second run.

A tad shorter and on middle, sliding in. Powell hangs back and works it to long on for a single.

Spins away a bit, full on off, Rovman Powell prods forward and defends it on the pitch.

On off and full, flatter through the air, Powell blocks it.

Drops it short and on the leg stump. Powell backs away and punches it back to the bowler.

Excellent yorker on the stumps, Powell brings his bat all the way down in time and shovels it to the right of the diving bowler. The ball rolls down to mid on for a single. A very profitable over for Prince and India. Just 5 runs and a wicket off it.

Attempted yorker, on middle and leg, Shai Hope's head falls over but he manages to stroke it down to the left of long on for a single.

Wide! That just sprang off the surface. Short in length with a tennis-ball bounce, on leg. It passes over Hope's head and is called a wide.

Speared on a fullish bit of a length, on the stumps. Powell awkwardly dinks it in front of cover and steals a run this time.

Around off on a length, Powell knocks it to the cover region. Looks for a single but is sent back in time.

Rovman Powell walks out to bat at number 4. The former T20I captain is in dire need of some runs.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Prince breaks a dangerous partnership and thanks the heavens. He bangs it hard into the pitch, short on top of middle. Shimron Hetmyer tries to heave it over mid-wicket but the ball certainly gets big on him and he badly shanks it off the higher portion of the bat. The ball lobs back to the bowler and Price takes a sharp catch, just over his right shoulder in his follow-through. Hetmyer is upset but he has played a fine cameo to keep the tourists going. West Indies are 110/2 in 8.2 overs.

On a good length, on leg, Shai Hope gets pegged back and knocks it to long on for a single.

Another bowling change? Yes, Prince Yadav is back on. He went for 12 runs in his first over.

SIX! That has gone many a mile! Dropped short by Dhir, around middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer has enough time to pivot on the back foot and pull it handsomely behind deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Another expensive over as 19 runs come off it.

Full on middle and leg, Hope works it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Finds the gap and Hope gallops to 41! Short and drifting into the pads, easy pickings for Hope as he hangs deep inside the crease and pulls it behind backward square leg for a boundary. 100 up for the West Indies in just 7.4 overs. The 50-run stand also comes up between Hope and Hetmyer.

Wide on off, on a shorter length. Hetmyer reaches out and carves it to deep point for a single.

A touch short, on leg, Hope tucks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Just sails over! Into the slot, full on middle, Shai Hope clears the front leg and swings it wonderfully over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

Naman Dhir comes into the attack now.

FOUR! Hammered! Angles outside off, on a length, Shimron Hetmyer presses back and smacks it through mid off and extra cover for a boundary.

Lobs away but just out of reach! Quicker and flatter, on a length and pitching outside leg stump, angling into Hetmyer. He is cramped for room as he clears the front leg and looks to pick it up over mid-wicket, but the ball takes an inside edge onto the front thigh pad and pops up on the leg side. Samson runs forward and dives but the ball lands just short of him. Oh, the UltraEdge later shows that there was no bat involved.

FOUR! Not timed really well, but Prince Yadav could have done better there. A bit fuller on middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer sinks his back knee on the ground and slogs it to the right of deep backward square leg. The ball lands and just beats Prince for a boundary. Axar is not quite pleased with that effort.

On a length, on off, Shai Hope punches it away to the right of backward point for a quick single.

Quicker through the air, on a length, Shimron Hetmyer hangs back and tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller around off, Hope drives it to deep point for a single.

That's a huge Powerplay for West Indies. The field will now spread, so the Indian bowlers will have more protection on the ropes.

SIX! Goes the distance and West Indies end their Powerplay with 79/1 on the board. Arshdeep steams in from around the stumps and feeds it absolutely into the slot, full on middle, Shimron Hetmyer plays with a straight bat and tonks it marvellously over long off for a cracking six. 19 runs off the over.

FOUR! Helped away! A little bit of reverse on a fuller length, on the pads. Shimron Hetmyer uses the pace and just whips it behind to the deep fine leg region. No one there in the deep and the ball meets the fence for a four.

Wide! Arshdeep hasn't quite found his rhythm tonight. A length-delivery but misfired beyond the tramline on the off side. Hetmyer leaves. Wide called.

Full toss on middle, Shimron swings it over mid-wicket and they hustle back for the second run by the time it is cut off by the sweeper.

FOUR! Hurries the batter, but it races away! Sharp short ball by Singh, on the leg stump. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it off the higher portion of the bat as the ball gets big on him. He puts it away in the short fine leg gap and earns a boundary.

Sensational fielding display by Dhir. That was travelling at the rate of knots. Another full toss by Arshdeep, on off, Hope smashes it very hard to pierce the gap on the off side but Naman Dhir dives full stretch to his right and parries the ball to mid off. Just one run.

Angles in a low full toss from around the stumps. Hope strokes it to the cover fielder.

Wide! Slower one, but far, far outside off on a length. Hope lets it through as the ball goes past the tramline.

A successful over for Axar and India. But it looks like a really good batting wicket, despite being a relaid pitch. Arshdeep Singh (1-0-17-0) is back on and will wrap up the Powerplay. He replaces Prince Yadav.

A single to end the over, 8 runs and a wicket off it. Another arm-ball, angled into the stumps. Hope works it between mid on and mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That's a colossal hit by Hope. Patel offers a lot more flight on this one, bowling it a bit fuller and straighter as well. Shai Hope takes the front leg out and clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Fired in by Axar, a bit fuller and on off stump. Hope is pegged back and has to jam it out to mid-wicket.

Flatter one slanted across off, Shimron Hetmyer powers it off the back foot to long on and picks up a single.

Axar again proves why he is so effective in the Powerplay. In comes Shimron Hetmyer at number 3.

OUT! LBW! An appeal for LBW, and up goes the umpire's finger. Jewel Andrew has reviewed it, but if the impact is in line, this could be pretty nailed on. Axar Patel bowls it on a length around off and just angles it in a bit. Andrew sits down and goes for the reverse sweep but misses and the ball goes past the under edge to hit the pad. The third umpire has a look at it. There's nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows three reds, which means the 52-run opening stand is broken. As slam-dunk as an LBW could be, and that's a review wasted by West Indies.

Andrew is early to back away, and Patel slides one in with the arm towards the batter. Andrew pats it back to the bowler.

Axar Patel comes into the attack now. He replaces Mayank Yadav.

Full and darted into the pads, ends up being a low full toss. Andrew clips it off the inside edge and onto the pads, and the ball rolls away in front of square leg for a single.

That's sharp from Prince. Short-pitched delivery, banged in over middle at 135.4 kph, but it is well-directed and Yadav also gets good bounce off the deck. Andrew backs away and eventually bails out of the shot.

Fuller again, but not that full, angled into middle and leg. Hope clips it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! That's rocketed to the fence, and 50 is up for the West Indies ​​​​​​in just 3.3 overs. Prince Yadav errs on the fuller side, serving a half-volley just outside off. Hope stays back in the crease before lacing it square through the off side for a boundary.

SIX! Wow, that is some control from Shai Hope to get that shot so straight. Hard length over middle, Hope hits through the line and keeps his shape, forcing it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Sweetly timed, but Hope can't find the gap. Pitched fuller on off, Hope stays upright and punches it firmly to the cover fielder.

Virender Sharma and Nitin Menon, the two on-field umpires, are wearing black armbands tonight in memory of Sarah Dambanevana, the former Zimbabwe women fast bowler turned umpire, who passed away a couple of days ago at the young age of 36. It's a good gesture from the officials and a reminder that the cricket community looks after its own. A change in bowling as Prince Yadav replaces Arshdeep Singh.

Much better line and length from Yadav. Good length on off, slanted back in. Andrew backs away and swings at it but misses and the ball goes just inches over the middle stump. A dot to end, but West Indies are flying at 40/0 after 3 overs.

WIDE! The extras are piling up for India already. Hard length, trying to attack the ribs, but this one angles down the leg side. 20 off the over with a ball to go.

Not cleanly struck, but Andrew will get a couple of runs here. Back of a length and angled into the batter. Andrew tries to pull off the back foot but toe-ends it wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a brace.

Much fuller, on middle, and sliding back in. Hope is late on the flick but manages to get it away in front of square leg for a single.

Back of a length, over 141 clicks and outside off. Hope makes a bit of room and goes hard at it, but is beaten by the pace and bounce.

FOUR LEG BYES! The runs are flowing thick and fast for West Indies now. Fuller and quicker, darted into the legs. Hope moves inside the line and misses the flick but the ball brushes the pads and rolls down into the fine leg fence.

SIX! Carted away! Yadav tries to go pace off but serves it in the hitting arc over middle and leg. Hope backs away and swipes it flat over deep mid-wicket for a six.

No ball! Too short again, and a No Ball is given for height. Another quick bumper but sailing over the head of Hope, and it will be a Free Hit to follow. Already 6 off the over, and we haven't had a legal ball yet.

FIVE WIDES! Sometimes the extra pace works against the bowler as well. A quick short ball at 142.5 kph and dug in over middle. This one flies after pitching and sails over the head of the keeper and into the boundary.

FOUR! Probably the best shot Andrew's played so far, and 17 runs come off that over. A low full toss on off, it is slower and dips as well. Andrew jams the bat down and just punches it back past the bowler and into the long off fence.

Just over the infield. Bowled from around the wicket, pitched full and outside off, slower too. Andrew goes hard at it and slices it over the point region for a couple of runs.

FOUR! That's aggressive from Andrew. Back of a length and over the stumps, Andrew steps down the pitch, backs away a bit and loses his shape, but manages to smash it to the left of mid on for a boundary.

Much better length, but not a lot of swing on offer for Arshdeep. Yorker-length, pitching it on the fourth-stump line. Andrew fails to dig it out.

SIX! Jewel Andrew announces himself with a massive six. Arshdeep Singh switches to over the wicket and shortens the length a bit, around the top of middle. Andrew just lays into the shot and whacks it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for the first biggie of the contest.

Singh angles it well in from around the wicket, looking to attack the front pad. Hope crocuhes a bit and tucks it down to wide mid on for a single.

That was a rapid first over from Mayank. Good pace and bounce for him. Arshdeep Singh will bowl from the other end. He's starting from around the stumps.

Excellent start by Mayank, only 3 off it. Andrew tries to counter-attack and charges down the track, but Yadav sees him coming and bangs it in short and wide, and the ball flies past the willow.

Sweetly timed but straight to the fielder. A touch fuller of a good length, on off. Andrew smacks it down to the cover fielder.

Buzzers! A bit unfortunate for the bowling side, but the extra run is conceded. A skiddy short ball now, angled right back at the batter. Andrew is hurried for pace and manages to fend it behind square leg for one. The throw comes in at the bowler's end and deflects away after hitting the stumps, allowing Andrew to pick up the second run.

Bashing the good length again, at a brisk pace, this time just outside the line of off stump. Andrew watches it well and stabs it down to cover.

The ball zips through off the deck. Good length, angled in over middle stump. Jewel Andrew gets right behind the line and blocks it down to mid on.

Off the mark right away is Shai Hope. Mayank Yadav hammers it in on a hard length, clocking in at 144.4 kph, angling it into the hips. Hope tucks it down to fine leg and picks up a single.

The bell has been rung and we are all set to get going in Hyderabad. The umpires and players make their way out to the middle. We see the Indian players huddle before dispersing to take their fielding positions. The new opening pair of the West Indies walk to the crease. Shai Hope is accompanied by the 19-year-old Jewel Andrew. Ian Bishop on air informs that this is West Indies' 8th opening pair this year in this format. Mayank Yadav has the new ball in hand and is ready to steam in. Hope is on strike with a wide slip in place almost at the edge of the 30-yard circle. Off we go...

A chat with India's rising star - On being asked about the learnings from the last game and the approach for this one, Naman Dhir admits that West Indies, especially in the T20Is, is a very dangerous team. On the learnings, he talks about not being complacent at any stage of the series. Adds that despite being 2-1 up, they will play with the same intensity. On his contributions with bat and ball, and whether he sees himself as a genuine all-rounder who can bowl a few important overs, Dhir agrees and says he really want to be an all-rounder though he prefers to score more with the bat. Says he got the opportunity in the last game and is happy that they ended up on the winning side. On being the leading wicket-taker of the series, with every wicket coming right after a six, he says he hopes to skip the sixes this time. Admits that he didn’t even know he was top of the charts, and he’s picked up a few lessons along the way. Shares that he has been in regular conversation with Gautam Gambhir and the other coaches, who are guiding him on a few finer points of bowling.

India (Unchanged Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, and Mayank Yadav.

West Indies (Playing XI) - Shai Hope (C/WK), Jewel Andrew (In for Kamil Pooran), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd (In for Quentin Sampson), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph.

The skipper of West Indies - Shai Hope says that they would have bowled first as well, citing all the same reasons as Iyer. Hope then goes on to say that they need to lay down the foundation early and assess the pitch early on in order to get a big score on the board, because you never know how much is enough on these pitches. On the actual surface, Hope mentions that he isn't quite sure how it is going to play, and hence, they will look to get their eye in as soon as possible and take it from there. He ends by informing that they have made two changes in the side, as Jewel Andrew comes in for Kamil Pooran and Romario Shepherd is back in as well, replacing Quentin Sampson.

The captain of India - Shreyas Iyer says that the relaid surface is the main reason they want to bowl first. Mentions that it is a blend of red and black soil, and that they have played on these kinds of surfaces before. Adds that with dew not expected to play a part, he feels this one could be a bit more intense. Reckons that there should be bounce on offer, and the surface looked hard when he inspected it. As for the stakes, he agrees this is a big game with the series nicely poised, and calls it a decisive one for India. Stresses that they can't afford to get complacent because West Indies are a destructive side with a power-packed batting lineup that runs down to number nine. When he is asked about how the group held its nerve in the previous game, Iyer says the composure and calm on show were a pleasure to watch. Says that they want to follow the same template and win every phase of the game. On the team combination for this game, Shreyas informs that they are going with an unchanged playing XI.

TOSS - Shreyas Iyer and Shai Hope are out there in the middle, and Hope calls incorrectly. India will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop says the ground staff have done work on the square over the past couple of months, so a few patches of grass are starting to catch again. He urges the fielders to tread with a bit more care. On the dimensions, he notes it's 64 metres on one side, 67 on the other, and 75 straight down the ground, which means captains will often want to protect the bigger side. As for the pitch itself, he notes that it is a mixed soil surface that was relaid not long ago. Murali Kartik joins him and informs that the strip was relaid around 45 days ago and is understood to be an 80 percent red soil and 20 percent black soil blend. Adds that the red soil brings the bounce while the black soil holds it together. What catches his eye is how many cracks run through the strip, with straw packed into them, giving it an unusual texture. Says this is normally a very high-scoring ground, but he admits he can’t quite read it, since the T20I sample size here is small. Mentions that the IPL has shown what the ground can do, and he’s keen to see what the captains decide. Bishop agrees with Kartik and points to the numbers. On average, he informs, 24 sixes have been hit in T20Is at this venue, and he hopes the game stays true to the series so far, which has been very entertaining.

Battle of the sixes - A run-fest is not all about the sixes, but yes, the big hits do, at times, decide the way a game might swing. In the 2nd game we saw the Windies batters really take the lead on the big hits, which eventually helped them to seal the deal. The onus will be on the bowlers to try and keep the sixes to a minimum, and whichever bowling side can do that better might have the upper hand. The toss will once again be crucial, but with a newly laid pitch in the mix, will chasing be the way to go again? We shall find out soon. Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

The festivities continue - It is the start of the festive season in India, and there's not just excitement in the streets but also on the ground, as the fans are set to be treated to another action-packed contest. Hyderabad has been a high-scoring venue in recent years, and nothing less will be expected tonight as well. However, it is a newly laid pitch, which might actually cause a few problems for the batters, and they might have to respect the conditions before going big. Not just that, but it is also the homecoming for a lot of the Indian players like Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who play for the Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League and the crowd will be expecting that the homeboys provide them with plenty of smiles.

Another run-fest on the cards? Hello and a warm welcome to one and all. We are in Hyderabad for the 4th and penultimate T20I between India and West Indies. The hosts have a 2-1 lead coming into this game, but with the way the last two games have played out, no one can quite be certain whether India will the series today, or whether West Indies will answer back as they did in the 2nd game and take the fate of the series into the summit clash. All in all, it should be another entertaining clash.

... MATCH DAY ...

Three down, two to go - The series began in the north, moved east before heading to central India, and now heads south for the final stretch. Hyderabad hosts the fourth T20I, with a crucial question hanging over the contest - will the seesaw continue, or will India take an unassailable lead? The middle-overs test - For all their batting depth and firepower, India have struggled to turn promising starts into match-winning totals. They piled up 249 in Ranchi but still ended up on the losing side, while in Indore, they were cruising at 115/1 before the innings lost its way. Two run-outs only added to the damage. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum through the middle overs, particularly against spin. Roston Chase has been a persistent threat and has given India plenty to think about. The seam solution - India’s decision to bolster their pace attack in Indore paid off. Prince Yadav made a strong impression, Nitish Kumar Reddy played his part, and Arshdeep Singh provided an early breakthrough by removing Shai Hope. The extra seam options gave India greater control, and they are likely to stick with a similar combination in Hyderabad unless fitness concerns force a change. Six-hitting force - West Indies have shown they can match India’s firepower. Their six-hitting proved decisive in Ranchi, where Hope’s 45-ball hundred and Sherfane Rutherford’s 84 powered one of the biggest successful chases in T20I history. One area of concern is the top order, with Kamil Pooran yet to deliver consistently after arriving on the back of an impressive CPL campaign. With the series on the line, Amir Jangoo could come into consideration. West Indies will also hope Romario Shepherd is available again after missing the Indore game with a niggle, as his return would add depth to both departments. The visitors will know they are capable of challenging India, but need to put together a more complete performance. New-ball blues - The visitors can take some encouragement from the way they fought back through the middle overs in Indore. However, their Powerplay bowling remains a concern, with early breakthroughs hard to come by. Against an Indian batting line-up packed with options, they cannot afford to let the top order settle. A stronger start with the ball will be crucial if West Indies are to keep the series alive in Hyderabad. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - IND - WLWWW | WI - LWLWL. Another night of fireworks? Dew has been the talking point throughout the series. In its absence in Indore, a total was successfully defended for the first time on this tour, unlike in Ranchi, where dew arrived before the first ball was bowled. Hyderabad has always been a batting-friendly venue, with true bounce aiding strokeplay. Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen have all feasted here for SRH. Once again, it could come down to whether the dew arrives and makes the job of the side bowling second that much tougher, which means the toss is going to be crucial. Let’s hope it is not the be-all and end-all, and that the conditions stay the same for both sides throughout. Who are you backing to come out on top?