West Indies pulled off a stunning run chase against India, reaching 252 for four in 18.3 overs to secure a six-wicket victory after India posted a mammoth 249 for five at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.
Chasing 250, West Indies suffered an early collapse as Mayank Yadav struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Kamil Pooran for four and Shimron Hetmyer for a duck. The visitors were reduced to five for two, but captain Shai Hope and Rovman Powell steadied the innings.
Hope and Powell added 53 runs for the third wicket before Powell fell for 24 off 13 balls, leaving West Indies at 58 for three in the sixth over.
However, Hope found an ideal partner in Rutherford, and the pair launched a spectacular counterattack. Their 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket transformed the contest, taking West Indies from 58 for three to 178 for four in just over eight overs.
Rutherford smashed 84 off 37 balls, hitting seven fours and seven sixes before Kuldeep Yadav ended his innings in the 15th over. Hope, meanwhile, continued to dominate the Indian attack, bringing up his century off just 45 balls.
The West Indies captain remained unbeaten on 102 from 45 deliveries, striking six fours and nine sixes. Romario Shepherd provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 34 off 13 balls as the visitors completed the chase with nine balls remaining.
Mayank was India's most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 36 runs, while Kuldeep took one for 53.
Earlier, India produced a powerful batting display after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson led the charge with a blistering 82 off 41 balls, including nine fours and four sixes.
Abhishek Sharma gave India an aggressive start with 20 off 12 balls before Roston Chase dismissed him. Ishan Kishan then joined Samson and added valuable runs, scoring 43 off 22 deliveries with six fours and two sixes.
Chase proved India's main obstacle in the middle overs, taking three wickets for 24 runs. He removed Kishan, Shivam Dube, who scored seven, and Samson to briefly slow India's momentum.
However, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma ensured India finished strongly. Iyer hammered 40 off 18 balls, while Varma remained unbeaten on 44 from just 18 deliveries.
Naman Dhir added a quickfire four off one ball as India reached 249 for five in their allotted 20 overs.
Shamar Springer conceded 64 runs in four overs despite taking two wickets, while Chase was West Indies' most economical bowler.
The result gives West Indies a timely boost in the series after India had taken the lead in the opening match.
