Shai Hope scripts history, surpasses Chris Gayle in major T20I milestone

Shai Hope creates history

Shai Hope continued his remarkable run in T20 internationals by becoming the first West Indies batter to register three centuries in the format, powering the visitors to a formidable 247/3 against India in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday.The West Indies captain struck an unbeaten 102 off 50 deliveries, reaching the three-figure mark for the second time in the ongoing series and extending his lead over the Caribbean greats in the T20I century charts.

Hope's latest hundred came with a remarkable statistical twist: all three of his T20I centuries have been unbeaten scores of exactly 102. He moved ahead of Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, who have two centuries each, while Johnson Charles and Rovman Powell have one apiece.

Hope joins 2,000-run club for West Indies

Hope also crossed the 2,000-run mark in T20 internationals with a six off the final delivery of the innings. He became the fourth West Indies batter to reach the milestone, joining Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King.

First innings report: Hetmyer, Rutherford provide explosive support

Hope received strong support from his teammates as West Indies posted 247/3 in their allotted 20 overs, setting India a target of 248.

Jewel Andrew provided an aggressive start, scoring 21 off 16 balls before Axar Patel dismissed him leg-before-wicket.

Shimron Hetmyer then unleashed a blistering attack, smashing 33 off just 12 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, before Prince Yadav ended his cameo with a return catch.Rovman Powell added 24 off 17 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford finished unbeaten on 49 off 26 deliveries, ensuring West Indies maintained their momentum through the closing overs.The visitors raced to 79/1 in the powerplay, equalling the joint-highest powerplay score against India in T20Is. They also reached 100 in just 7.4 overs, matching the fastest team hundred against India in the format.India's bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs each in their four overs. Prince Yadav returned figures of 1/36, while Axar Patel claimed one wicket.