Hope’s heroics power Windies to record chase and consolation win
Key Points(5)
- Shai Hope produced another batting masterclass to propel the West Indies to their highest-ever successful ODI run chase, completing a remarkable five-wicket victory over India in the third and final match on Saturday.
- Hope followed his century in the second ODI with an unbeaten 162 from 143 balls, carrying the West Indies to 352 for five in 48.2 overs after India posted 351 for seven at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
- The result could not alter the outcome of the series, which India had already secured by winning the opening two matches, but it gave the West Indies a deserved victory to close the campaign.
- It also capped a superb series for the West Indies batting unit, with Hope once again providing the innings with its foundation, control and finishing power.
- Hope takes charge after early setback Hope was pushed up the order to open alongside John Campbell after Jewel Andrew injured his hand while fielding.
Shai Hope produced another batting masterclass to propel the West Indies to their highest-ever successful ODI run chase, completing a remarkable five-wicket victory over India in the third and final match on Saturday.
Hope followed his century in the second ODI with an unbeaten 162 from 143 balls, carrying the West Indies to 352 for five in 48.2 overs after India posted 351 for seven at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
The result could not alter the outcome of the series, which India had already secured by winning the opening two matches, but it gave the West Indies a deserved victory to close the campaign.
It also capped a superb series for the West Indies batting unit, with Hope once again providing the innings with its foundation, control and finishing power.
Hope takes charge after early setback
Hope was pushed up the order to open alongside John Campbell after Jewel Andrew injured his hand while fielding.
The pair immediately attacked India’s bowling, racing to 41 in the first four overs before Campbell’s dismissal interrupted the momentum.
Campbell, dropped on nine, added only one more run before Mohammed Siraj beat him with a full, straight delivery and knocked him over.
Hope then joined forces with Amir Jangoo in a 109-run, second-wicket partnership that shifted the pressure back onto India.
He reached his 33rd ODI half-century from 46 balls, while Jangoo survived a significant opportunity when Virat Kohli dropped him at backward point on 34.
Jangoo capitalized on the reprieve, reaching his half-century from 47 balls, but the partnership ended through miscommunication. Jangoo was run out at the non-striker’s end after setting off for a single that Hope had little interest in taking.
Hope refuses to slow down
Sherfane Rutherford supplied another important contribution, striking 24 from 25 balls and adding 56 with Hope as the West Indies moved beyond 200.
Rutherford’s dismissal came amid controversy. He was given out caught behind off Naman Dhir, but the review failed to produce conclusive evidence to overturn the decision, leaving the West Indies 206 for three after 30 overs.
Hope, meanwhile, continued despite struggling physically and soon reached his 21st ODI century from 104 balls, bringing up the milestone with a single off Kuldeep Yadav.
His movement became increasingly restricted, but Keemo Paul ensured the chase retained its momentum.
Paul hammered 44 from 35 balls during a 65-run partnership with Hope, taking most of the pressure off the limping opener and keeping the West Indies firmly in control.
India briefly threatened a late turnaround when Paul was caught at deep midwicket off Gurnoor Brar and Yadav removed Matthew Forde for seven.
At 290 for five in the 44th over, the West Indies still needed a composed finish.
Hope provided it.
Record books and a calm finish
Hope became the first wicketkeeper-batsman to score 150 in a men's ODI and remained unbeaten through the chase.
Gudakesh Motie joined him for the final assault, contributing an unbeaten 19 from 14 balls as the pair added 62 without being separated.
Hope finished with 17 fours and three sixes during a 255-minute stay at the crease, completing his second successive century of the series in emphatic fashion.
The victory was the West Indies’ highest successful ODI chase, giving the team a significant consolation result after India had dominated the opening two matches.
Seales strikes early before Rahul turns the tide
India’s imposing total appeared unlikely during the early stages of its innings.
Jayden Seales ripped into the hosts’ top order in a devastating opening spell, removing captain Shubman Gill for one when Hope took a diving catch behind the stumps.
Two balls later, Seales bowled Kohli through the gate for a duck, leaving India four for two.
Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad then rebuilt the innings with a 137-run partnership.
Sharma made 92 from 85 balls, while Gaikwad survived four dropped chances on his way to 57 from 69 balls.
Paul eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Sharma, but India found another gear through KL Rahul.
Rahul transformed the innings with an unbeaten 129 from only 87 deliveries, striking 10 fours and six sixes as India plundered 106 runs from the final 10 overs.
India reached 351 for seven, setting the West Indies a formidable target.
Seales finished with three for 62, while Paul claimed two for 71.
But Hope’s extraordinary innings ensured that India’s imposing total was not enough.
The West Indies ultimately matched India’s 351 and surpassed it with 10 balls to spare, closing the series with a performance built around one of Hope’s finest ODI innings.
