KEY POINTS
- Sherfane Rutherford smashed unbeaten 76, powering West Indies to 196 for 6.
- Gudakesh Motie claimed 3 for 33 in a game-changing spell.
MUMBAI: Sherfane Rutherford announced himself on the global stage with a breathtaking unbeaten 76, while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie dismantled England’s middle order with a devastating three-wicket burst, as West Indies secured a dominant 30-run win in their Group C T20 World Cup clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a stiff 197 for victory, England folded for 166 in 19 overs, undone by a disciplined West Indian bowling attack that refused to release pressure after Rutherford’s late-innings heroics had powered the two-time champions to 196 for 6.
West Indies recover from nightmare start
West Indies’ innings began in near-catastrophic fashion. Shai Hope departed for a golden duck off the second ball of the match, edging Jofra Archer behind.
Two balls later, Brandon King fell for 1, and the scoreboard read a scarcely believable 8 for 2.
A blazing knock of 76* from Sherfane Rutherford guided West Indies to a winning total in Mumbai 👊
He's the @aramco POTM 🥇 pic.twitter.com/5JakHpbwXf
— ICC (@ICC) February 11, 2026
But Shimron Hetmyer counter-attacked with characteristic ferocity, hammering 23 from just 12 deliveries before Sam Curran held a sharp catch to end his cameo.
Roston Chase then anchored the recovery with a composed 34 off 29, rotating strike intelligently while boundaries dried up against Adil Rashid’s beguiling leg-spin.
The platform, however, merely set the stage for Rutherford.
The left-hander arrived at 77 for 3 in the ninth over and proceeded to dismantle England’s attack with a brutal exhibition of clean hitting.
His 42-ball knock featured seven towering sixes, several landing deep into the Wankhede stands, and two crisp boundaries.
He found able support from Jason Holder, who clubbed 33 off just 17 balls with four sixes of his own in a frantic 61-run sixth-wicket stand.
Rutherford remained unbeaten on 76, walking off to a standing ovation. West Indies had plundered 67 runs from the final five overs.
England, despite Rashid’s economical 4-0-16-2, were left chasing shadows.
Spinners power West Indies to their second #T20WorldCup victory 💪
📝: https://t.co/OIhKCJNG9L pic.twitter.com/xpQEORHDqy
— ICC (@ICC) February 11, 2026
Motie spins web as England’s top order falters
England’s response began with explosive intent. Phil Salt crashed 30 from 14 balls, clearing the ropes twice before Romario Shepherd extracted revenge, Rutherford holding a sharp catch at deep midwicket.
Jos Buttler looked in ominous touch, caressing four boundaries in his 21, but Roston Chase produced a moment of brilliance, Powell diving full-length at short cover to send England’s captain packing.
Jacob Bethell battled gamely for 33, yet England’s chase never genuinely threatened the required rate.
Motie delivered the decisive blows. The left-arm spinner had Tom Banton caught at long-on, trapped Harry Brook in front for 17, and induced a leading edge from Bethell that looped gently back to him.
Three wickets for one run in the space of 11 deliveries. England had slumped from 74 for 1 to 90 for 4, and the asking rate ballooned beyond reach.
England’s lower order fails to fire
Sam Curran fought a lone rearguard, unbeaten on 43 from 30 balls, but received scant support. Will Jacks fell lbw to Chase for 2.
Jamie Overton picked out Powell on the boundary. Jofra Archer was run out attempting a non-existent second. Liam Dawson followed in identical fashion.
When Shamar Joseph castled Adil Rashid with a searing yorker, England were all out for 166 with an over unused.
Motie finished with 3 for 33, Chase claimed 2 for 29, and West Indies celebrated a victory that erases the memory of their top-order collapse.
Brief Scores
West Indies 196 for 6 (Rutherford 76 not out, Holder 33, Chase 34; Rashid 2-16, Overton 2-33) defeated England 166 all out in 19 overs (Curran 43 not out, Bethell 33, Salt 30; Motie 3-33, Chase 2-29) by 30 runs.
Player of the Match: Sherfane Rutherford (76* off 42 balls)
