India face West Indies in the fifth and final T20I on Saturday, with the series finely poised at 2-2 after the visitors claimed a 24-run victory in the fourth match.
West Indies bounced back in style on Thursday, with Hope producing another outstanding innings to help his side level the series.
The captain struck his second unbeaten score of 102 in the T20I series, while Keemo Paul starred with the ball by 5-41.
Hope has been in remarkable form throughout the tour, having also scored 162 not out in the final ODI. His ability to combine power hitting with consistency makes him a major threat as the tourists look to complete a comeback in the series.
The deciding match takes place in Bengaluru, where the short boundaries should offer plenty of opportunities for the batters. Dew could also play a part, making the toss an important factor.
India will be determined to respond after their defeat in the fourth T20I, but the Windies have momentum heading into the series finale and have shown they possess the firepower to trouble the hosts.
India v West Indies Tips Summary
Best Bet - Shai Hope West Indies top batter @ 21/10
Alternative Bet - Keemo Paul top West Indies bowler @ 15/4
Bet Builder - Sherfane Rutherford 3+ sixes, Shai Hope 3+ sixes & Ishan Kishan 5+ fours @ 13/1
India v West Indies Prediction
Best Bet: Shai Hope to be West Indies top batter @ 21/10
Hope has been the standout batter for West Indies on this tour and looks a strong option to finish the series with another significant contribution.
He has scored two unbeaten hundreds in the T20I series, including his superb knock in Thursday's victory, and has consistently found a way to score heavily against India.
His form has also extended across the formats, with a match-winning 162 not out in the final ODI. Hope has demonstrated that he can handle India's attack and make the most of favourable batting conditions.
With the series on the line and West Indies needing their captain to lead from the front, backing Hope to finish as his team's leading run scorer looks an appealing option.
Alternative Bet: Keemo Paul to be West Indies top bowler @ 15/4
Paul was the star of the West Indies bowling attack in the fourth T20I, taking 5-41 to help secure a crucial victory.
He made an immediate impact, dismissing Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the same over before returning to take three wickets in the 19th over.
That performance underlined his ability to change a match with the ball, and he has already shown his value during this series. Paul also took 1-38 in his previous T20 match of the tour.
With his wicket-taking threat and all-round ability, Paul can once again play a decisive role in the series decider.
India v West Indies Bet Builder Tip
Sherfane Rutherford 3+ sixes
Shai Hope 3+ sixes
Ishan Kishan 5+ fours
Pays 13/1
Sherfane Rutherford has been one of the West Indies' most consistent batters during the series. His lowest score across the four innings is 32 and he has recorded two half-centuries and an unbeaten 49 in the last match.
He has cleared the ropes 15 times in four innings, demonstrating his ability to take advantage of the short boundaries, and Rutherford can continue that trend in Bengaluru, where aggressive batting should be rewarded.
Hope is another strong selection for the maximums market. He struck nine sixes during his unbeaten 102 in the fourth T20I and has hit 20 maximums across his four innings in the series.
His current form makes him a major threat whenever he gets set and the West Indies captain is capable of clearing the boundary regularly again.
Ishan Kishan completes the three-fold after scoring 123 runs and hitting 17 fours across his four innings in the series. Only Rutherford, with 19 fours, has struck more boundaries for either side.
Backing Kishan to hit five or more fours makes for an appealing Bet Builder in the series decider.
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Key Match Stats
West Indies levelled the series at 2-2 with a 24-run victory in the fourth T20I
Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 102 in the fourth T20I
Keemo Paul took five wickets for 41 runs in the fourth T20I
Hope has hit 20 sixes across his four innings in the T20I series
Sherfane Rutherford has hit 15 sixes and 19 fours across four innings
Ishan Kishan has scored 123 runs and hit 17 fours in four innings
Tactics, Form & Team News
Despite defeat last time out, India may opt against changes for this final match of the series, given the XI selected ran out winners by 14 runs in the previous match between the two teams.
Expected India XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Mitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies will be keen to maintain the momentum gained from their victory in the fourth T20I. Hope's outstanding form gives them a reliable presence in the batting order, while Rutherford has provided further firepower and consistency.
Paul's five-wicket haul also strengthens his case to retain his place in the decider. His ability to take wickets at key moments could prove crucial.
Expected West Indies XI: Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfance Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
