Shai Hope Surpasses Brian Lara to Become WI's 2nd-Highest ODI Centurion
West Indies captain Shai Hope makes history in Guwahati, surpassing Brian Lara to become the Men in Maroon's second-highest ODI centurion.
West Indies captain Shai Hope etched his name into the record books during the second ODI against India at Guwahati's Barsapara Stadium on Wednesday. In a masterclass of batting, Hope surpassed the legendary Brian Lara to become the second-highest centurion for the West Indies in One Day International cricket.
A Historic Milestone in Guwahati
During a high-octane encounter, Hope smashed 104 runs off just 94 deliveries. His aggressive knock included eight boundaries and three towering sixes, maintaining a strike rate of over 110. This performance marked his 20th ODI century in 157 matches.
With this feat, Hope moves past the iconic Brian Lara, who recorded 19 centuries across 295 ODIs between 1990 and 2007. Currently, the record for the most ODI centuries for the West Indies is held by Chris Gayle, who amassed 25 hundreds in 298 matches.
Dominance Over India
The Caribbean skipper has shown a particular affinity for playing against the Indian side. His statistics on Indian soil are remarkably consistent:
- Total Runs in India: 857 runs across 16 innings.
- Batting Average: A staggering 71.41.
- Strike Rate: Over 76.
- Milestones: Four centuries and three half-centuries, including a career-best 123*.
Hope's form in 2024 has also been impressive, contributing 315 runs in nine matches at an average of 45.00.
West Indies Smash Record Total
The match itself turned into a batting clinic as the West Indies reached their highest-ever ODI total of 405/7. The innings was defined by three explosive centuries:
- Amir Jangoo: 114 runs from 77 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes).
- Shai Hope: 104 runs from 94 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes).
- John Campbell: 101 runs from 68 balls (9 fours, 5 sixes).
India's Bowling Struggles
After winning the toss and electing to field, the Indian bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught. Gurnoor Brar (2/96) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/75) were unable to find much rhythm, while debutant Auqib Nabi went wicketless in his 8.5 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer for the hosts, finishing with figures of 2/65.