West Indies’ Hope jokes India series record role a problem as finale looms
Shai Hope worried about excess baggage after latest Player of the Match award in thrilling India-West Indies series.
Key points
- Shai Hope hit an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls to help West Indies beat India by 24 runs in Hyderabad and level the T20I series.
- Hope has won three Player of the Match awards on the tour and joked about excess luggage fees.
- The series decider is on Saturday in Bengaluru, and Hope will be rested for West Indies' two-Test series in Bangladesh.
West Indies captain Shai Hope joked that his third Player of the Match award on the tour of India could lead to excess baggage fees. Hope made an unbeaten 102 from 50 balls in the fourth Twenty20 International in Hyderabad on Wednesday, setting up a 24-run win that levelled the series.
Hope has been in strong form throughout the tour. He also scored a century in the second T20I in Ranchi and hit two hundreds during the earlier One-Day International leg.
Hope's comments on his form
Hope said he was pleased with his performances but was struggling to fit his awards into his luggage. "To be honest, they are a bit heavy, and we have got to look at the luggage weight," he said. He added that he thought there would be problems when the team returned home.
Hope said a good start in Hyderabad was important. He noted that West Indies had an opening partnership of more than 50 runs, which gave the team a foundation to express themselves in the middle period and push for a strong finish.
To be honest, they are a bit heavy, and we have got to look at the luggage weight
— Shai Hope
Opposition praise and next matches
Hope hit nine sixes in his 50-ball innings and drew praise from India opener Sanju Samson. "We need to respect what he has been doing," Samson said, adding that Hope was playing good cricketing shots without taking too much risk and was respecting the bowlers.
Hope will aim for another strong performance in the series decider in Bengaluru on Saturday. West Indies will then visit Bangladesh for a two-Test series later this month, with Hope being rested ahead of the ODI World Cup qualifiers in February.
