Shai Hope Shines with 20th ODI Century in Guwahati
Shai Hope's Stellar Performance
In a remarkable display of skill, West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope excelled during the second ODI of the three-match series held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30.
After the early dismissal of opener Keacy Carty at 37/1, Hope partnered with John Campbell to forge a significant 110-run partnership for the second wicket. He then collaborated with Amir Jangoo to build a formidable 182-run stand for the third wicket, enabling the West Indies to set a daunting target of 406 runs by scoring 405/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Hope, who had a modest outing in the first ODI with just 12 runs off 11 balls, bounced back impressively, scoring 104 runs off 94 balls, featuring 8 fours and 3 sixes, achieving a strike rate of 110.64. This innings marked his 20th century in One Day Internationals.
A Journey of Consistency
Shai Hope made his ODI debut for the West Indies against Sri Lanka in November 2016, stepping into a team that was in dire need of stability at the top order. Over the years, he has evolved into a cornerstone of Caribbean batting.
Following the retirements of notable players like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, and Dwayne Bravo, Hope embraced the responsibility with grace, consistently anchoring innings and emerging as a reliable figure in a challenging era for white-ball cricket.
"CENTURY BY SHAI HOPE AGAINST INDIA. One of the most remarkable knocks by the captain in India, he’s one of the finest ever of West Indies cricket in ODIs." - Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 30, 2026
Hope's first ODI century came against Zimbabwe, and he has since scored centuries against 11 different nations, including four against India and three against Bangladesh, showcasing his remarkable adaptability and consistency.
His century tally includes two each against England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, along with one against South Africa, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Ireland, Nepal, and New Zealand. Shai Hope's consistent performances have reignited hopes for a stable batting lineup for the West Indies.
Hope's Impact on West Indies Cricket
Currently, the West Indies ODI squad touring India has a total of 26 ODI centuries, with Shai Hope contributing an impressive 20 of those, underscoring his pivotal role in the batting lineup. He is only the second West Indies player, after Chris Gayle, to achieve 20 ODI centuries.
Fans Celebrate Shai Hope's Milestone
The cricketing community has taken to social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to express their admiration for Shai Hope's consistency and his 20th ODI century. Fans have hailed him as one of the most underrated players in modern ODI cricket.
Many supporters praised his captaincy and batting prowess, while some drew comparisons between Hope and legendary West Indies players, including Brian Lara.
"Brilliant captaincy batting by Shai Hope, he shows why he is the best player for ODI and Test matches." - Anshu Singh (@Imanshucric) September 30, 2026
Hope's achievements have sparked discussions about his status among the greats of West Indies cricket, with fans recognizing his contributions as a wicketkeeper and captain.
In his ODI career, Shai Hope has accumulated 6,428 runs, including 20 centuries and 32 fifties, boasting an impressive average of 50.21 across 157 matches.