Shai Hope Acknowledges West Indies' Shortfall in ODI Against India

In the first ODI against India, West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted that his team fell short by 60-80 runs, acknowledging the need for a stronger total to compete effectively. Despite a solid start with a 135-run partnership, the West Indies could only post 295 runs, which proved insufficient as India chased down the target with ease. Hope's reflections highlight the challenges of batting on Indian pitches and the importance of a robust bowling performance. This match sets the tone for the three-match ODI series, with India taking an early lead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 00:46 IST

West Indies Captain Reflects on ODI Performance

Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], September 27: Shai Hope, the captain of the West Indies cricket team, recognized that his squad fell short by approximately 60 to 80 runs in their first ODI against India held in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Hope emphasized that batting on a favorable pitch in India necessitates scoring a substantial total, admitting that defending a score near 290 leaves minimal margin for error in bowling. He expressed that the West Indies required both a higher score and an almost flawless bowling performance to effectively challenge the Indian team.

India secured a convincing victory in the match. After winning the toss, captain Shubman Gill opted to bowl first without hesitation. However, the Indian bowlers faced early pressure as both West Indies openers achieved half-centuries, establishing a solid 135-run partnership at the start.

Kuldeep Yadav eventually broke this partnership and went on to take three additional wickets, leaving the West Indies at 198/5, despite Justin Greaves reaching his first ODI century. The visitors gained some late momentum through Amir Jangoo, whose quick half-century helped them finish at 295/7.

Although 295 seemed like a competitive score at the halfway mark, India's strong batting lineup made quick work of the target, proving the West Indies' total insufficient as the hosts cruised to a dominant win.

“Absolutely, we could have added more runs. On good pitches like those in India, it’s crucial to set a solid score. We were probably 60 to 80 runs short, to be honest. And when defending a target close to 290, everything has to go perfectly,” Hope stated post-match.

The West Indies finished their innings at 295/7 in 50 overs, with Greaves scoring a century and John Campbell providing a dynamic start. In response, India chased down the target of 296, reaching 300/2 in just 41.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

This victory marked a strong beginning for India in the series, highlighted by Kohli’s record-setting innings and Gill’s century, while Kuldeep’s four-wicket haul limited the West Indies to a subpar total despite their promising start.