West Indies’ Shai Hope plays a shot during the third and final One Day International (ODI) cricket match of a series between India and West Indies, in Mullanpur. (PTI)
Hope produced a record-breaking knock to guide West Indies to a stunning five-wicket victory while chasing 352, their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket. Hope’s 162 not out, scored off 143 balls with 17 fours and three sixes, surpassed Dilshan’s 160 against India in Rajkot in 2009. In the process, the right-hander broke Tillakaratne Dilshan’s long-standing record for the highest individual score in a successful ODI chase against India. It also took him level with Chris Gayle for the highest individual score by a West Indies batter in a successful ODI run chase.
Shai Hope ’s unbeaten 162 against India in the third ODI at New Chandigarh may have looked like another masterclass from the West Indies captain, but the innings was anything but ordinary. India had posted a daunting 351/7 after opting to bat first, with KL Rahul producing an unbeaten 129 off 87 balls. Rohit Sharma narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 92, while Ruturaj Gaikwad added 57. Jangoo scored a valuable 67, while his partnership with Hope crossed the hundred-run mark. West Indies reached 148/1 at the end of 20 overs and continued to remain ahead of the required rate.
Because jewel Andrew was unavailable to bat after suffering an injury, he also had to shoulder even more responsibility. The magnitude of Hope’s innings becomes even clearer when viewed alongside the team record. Jangoo eventually departed, but Hope remained the constant throughout. The captain had to dig deep late in the innings after beginning to feel discomfort around his groin.