Keemo Paul scripts history with historic five-wicket haul
Keemo Paul becomes the first West Indies bowler to claim multiple five-wicket hauls in Men’s T20Is after a brilliant performance in Hyderabad.
In a high-octane encounter that saw massive totals and explosive batting, West Indies seamer Keemo Paul rose to the occasion to etch his name into the history books. Paul delivered a match-winning spell of 5/41 in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, leading the West Indies to a crucial 24-run victory over India and leveling the five-match series at 2-2.
A record-breaking performance
Paul's performance was not just about winning a match; it was about breaking long-standing barriers. With this spell, he became the first West Indies bowler to register multiple five-wicket hauls in Men’s T20Is. By achieving this, he joins an elite club of world-class seamers from Full Member nations, including legends such as:
- Lasith Malinga
- Umar Gul
- Tim Southee
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Mustafizur Rahman
Furthermore, Paul has become only the second West Indian to claim a five-wicket haul against India in Men’s T20Is, following in the footsteps of his compatriot Obed McCoy, who famously took 6/17 in 2022.
Shai Hope sets the stage
Before the bowling heroics, the West Indies innings was headlined by a sensational century from Shai Hope. His explosive batting allowed the visitors to post a mammoth total of 247/3, setting a daunting target for the Indian side in what has been a high-scoring series.
India's fightback falls short
Chasing a massive 248, India started their pursuit with immense aggression. Sanju Samson ignited the chase with a blistering 56 off just 23 balls, putting the hosts in a commanding position early on. The momentum was kept alive through a vital partnership between Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy, which seemed to bring India back into the contest.
However, the turning point came when Romario Shepherd dismissed Tilak Varma, a blow that proved decisive for the Indian campaign. Despite the spirited effort, India slipped to 130/5 and eventually fell short of the target, unable to overcome the pressure applied by Paul's clinical bowling.
Series decider awaits in Bengaluru
With the series now deadlocked at 2-2, the stage is set for a thrilling finale. Both teams will head to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the fifth and final T20I on October 17, where the ultimate winner of the series will be decided.