West Indies captain Shai Hope attributed his masterful century against England in the first ODI to a conversation with cricket icon MS Dhoni. Hope’s unbeaten 109 powered the West Indies to a thrilling four-wicket victory, marking their highest ODI run chase against England.
Hope revealed Dhoni’s impactful advice about managing time at the crease, stating, “A very, very famous person, MS Dhoni – we had a chat a while ago, and he was saying, ‘You always have a lot more time than you think.’ That is one thing that has stuck with me throughout the years I have been playing ODI cricket.”
His century, studded with seven sixes, showcased his ability to control the game, echoing Dhoni’s wisdom. Alongside Hope’s stellar performance, all-rounder Romario Shepherd’s remarkable contribution earned praise. Hope commended Shepherd’s reliability, emphasizing his consistency at this level.
While acknowledging England’s strong start, Hope highlighted the need for improvement in the West Indies’ bowling during the initial phase. He emphasized the significance of consistent performances to stake a claim as the best global team.
Addressing the team’s overall performance, Hope noted the responsibility taken by the openers and the importance of sustaining such efforts. He expressed satisfaction with their display and emphasized the necessity for continued performances akin to this standard.
Awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his exceptional century, Hope’s innings steered West Indies to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. His conversation with Dhoni evidently left an indelible impact, guiding him to a match-winning performance against England.
