Shai Hope's unbeaten 162 guides West Indies to record ODI chase win over India

West Indies' captain Shai Hope celebrates his century (AP Photo)

Shai Hope turned to advice from former India captain MS Dhoni to pace his innings as West Indies chased down their highest-ever ODI target against India and signed off the series with a five-wicket win on Saturday. Hope produced an unbeaten 162 off 143 balls, his second successive century in the series, to guide West Indies to 352-5 in 48.2 overs after India posted 351-7. The visitors completed the chase with 10 balls to spare, ending India's winning streak in the series after defeats in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Hope revealed that a conversation with Dhoni had influenced the way he approached the chase. "Something that I had a great chat with the great man MS Dhoni, he was telling you always have more time than you think," Hope said. "Just trying not to focus too much on the end result. Just look at the process, try to break the game down as best as I can and find ways to get the boundaries in the back end." The advice proved particularly valuable given the circumstances. Hope had promoted himself to opener after Jewel Andrew reportedly injured a finger while taking a catch and was taken to hospital. He had also spent the entire 50 overs behind the stumps in high humidity before walking out to bat. West Indies were also a batter short, while Hope said the team could effectively have been two down with Vitel Lawes unavailable. "It would always be a challenge," Hope said. "So just trying not to focus too much on the end result." Hope reached his 50 off 46 balls and brought up his 21st ODI hundred from 104 deliveries. He then shifted gears dramatically, scoring 62 runs from his final 39 balls. After Keemo Paul fell in the 41st over, Hope added 62 off 29 balls with Gudakesh Motie to take West Indies over the line. India's slow over rate meant the hosts had to have an additional fielder inside the 30-yard circle for the final four overs, something Hope had anticipated. "I even thought about the overs that the Indian team were behind. So I knew they would have to bring a couple fielders in, in the back end," he said. "It's always tough when you're trying to defend a score and you got to have five men in the ring. So all those things I calculated when I was batting. Just so happened that everything worked out for us in the back end." Hope also revealed that he began feeling discomfort around his groin after about 30 overs of the chase but decided to push through.

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"Probably about 30 overs in, felt a little something in the groin area. So just tried to fight to the end there," he said. He fittingly struck the winning run, completing a remarkable chase that gave West Indies their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket. India's total had been built around KL Rahul's unbeaten 129 off 87 balls, while Rohit Sharma made 92. But Hope's marathon effort ensured West Indies finally had something to celebrate after India had already sealed the three-match series with two convincing wins.

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