Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
West Indies captain Shai Hope revealed how a simple chat with MS Dhoni helped him unlock his fine run of form during the ODI series against India. Hope was the star of the show for the West Indies as they chased down 352 in 48.2 overs to secure their highest successful chase in ODI cricket.
Hope remained unbeaten on 162 off 143 balls to seal the win. This was the Windies skipper’s second hundred of the series, having played a fine knock in Guwahati. Hope ended the series with 278 runs from three matches with an average of 139 and a strike-rate of 112.09.
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The knock also meant he has now scored 1019 runs in India with five hundreds and three fifties to his name with an average of 84. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Hope said that Dhoni told him that time is always on the batter’s side and he needed to just trust the process and breakdown the game as much as possible.
“I once had a great chat with the great man, MS Dhoni,” Hope said at the post-match presentation. “He was telling me that you always have more time than you think. So try not to focus too much on the end result. Just look at the process, try to break the game down as best as you can, and find ways to get the boundaries in the back end.”
CALCULATING THE CHASE
Hope had to take on an unexpected opening role after Jewel Andrew was reportedly taken to hospital with a finger injury sustained while fielding. Having already kept wickets for all 50 overs in humid conditions, Hope was also batting in a West Indies side missing Vitel Lawes.
He paced his innings brilliantly, reaching his 21st ODI century from 104 balls after a 46-ball fifty. Hope then shifted gears, smashing 62 runs from his final 39 deliveries. After Keemo Paul fell in the 41st over, he added 62 off just 29 balls with Gudakesh Motie to steer West Indies home.
India’s slow over rate also handed West Indies an advantage, with an extra fielder forced inside the 30-yard circle for the final four overs, a situation Hope had anticipated.
“I even thought about the overs that the Indian team were behind,” Hope said. “So I know they would have to bring a fielder in. It’s always tough when you’re trying to defend a score and you’ve got to have five men in the ring.”
The Windies captain will be in action during the T20I series, which will begin on October 6.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
