"Hopefully, people talk more about him": Dwayne Bravo hails Shai Hope
Dwayne Bravo praises West Indies skipper Shai Hope following his sensational 45-ball century against India in Ranchi.
Legendary West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo has lauded skipper Shai Hope, describing him as "one of the best in the world" after a breathtaking performance against India. The praise follows Hope's monumental heroics in the second T20I at Ranchi, where he dismantled the Indian bowling attack to secure a historic victory.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends Season 3, Bravo expressed his admiration for the current leader's form and impact on the game. Hope's recent masterclass saw him smash a blistering 45-ball century, spearheading a sensational 250-run chase. This feat marked the West Indies' highest-ever T20I chase against India, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
A Love Affair with Indian Conditions
Shai Hope seems to have found a special rhythm on Indian soil. This latest century marks his third hundred on the current tour, following two impressive ODI tons. Notably, two of these three centuries have directly resulted in match-winning performances.
Beyond his batting brilliance, Friday was also a milestone day for the right-hander, as he breached the 11,000-run mark in international cricket. Bravo hopes that this consistent excellence will finally garner the global recognition the skipper deserves.
"He is a great player. He is one of the best in the world, and I am very happy to see that he continues to show the world his talent. Hopefully, people talk more about him, and he gets the respect he deserves," said Bravo.
Bravo added that Hope's rise is a positive sign for the future of West Indies cricket, expressing optimism that the team can carry this momentum forward to win the upcoming matches and the series.
The Incredible Transformation of Shai Hope
The statistics tell a story of a player who has undergone a massive evolution in the shortest format. Between 2017 and 2023, Hope's T20I numbers were modest, with an average of 22.41 and a strike rate of 124.49. However, since 2024, his game has reached a different stratosphere.
A look at Hope's T20I evolution:
- 2017-2023: 493 runs in 24 innings at an average of 22.41.
- Since 2024: 1,404 runs in 46 matches at an average of 37.95 and a strike rate of 145.95.
- Career Milestone: He is the only player alongside Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis to have multiple T20I centuries.
His dominance isn't limited to T20Is. In the ODI format, Hope is rapidly climbing the ranks, currently sitting as the West Indies' second-highest century-maker with 21 tons. He is now just five hundreds away from surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle's record of 25. This year is proving to be his finest across all formats, with an average of 53.43 and four centuries already to his name.
Bravo on the World Championship of Legends
While celebrating his teammate's success, Bravo also shared his excitement about competing in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) Season 3. Representing the West Indies Champions, Bravo noted the joy of reuniting with old teammates and facing era-defining rivals once again.
"You get the opportunity to play with teammates you played with, you have played your entire career alongside, and to get back in the same dressing room... It is good to see some of the greats of the game keeping their body in shape and coming to compete," Bravo remarked.
The West Indies Champions are currently performing strongly in the tournament, sitting third in the points table with two wins and one loss. Their recent victory against the Bangladesh Champions was highlighted by significant contributions from Chadwick Walton, Chris Gayle, and Lendl Simmons.