West Indies head coach Daren Sammy praised captain Shai Hope after his unbeaten 162 powered a historic 352-run chase against India in the third ODI. Sammy highlighted Hope’s leadership, resilience, batting brilliance and crucial contribution to West Indies’ memorable series victory.
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has heaped praise on captain Shai Hope for his exceptional leadership and match-winning performance in the third and final ODI against India. Hope produced a remarkable unbeaten 162 to guide West Indies to a historic 352-run chase and secure a memorable victory at the new PCA Stadium.
The West Indies captain delivered one of the finest individual performances of the series after spending the entire Indian innings behind the stumps. Hope kept wicket for all 50 overs before immediately switching roles and opening the batting for West Indies following an injury to Jewel Andrew.
Despite the demanding workload, Hope remained at the crease throughout the chase and carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 162. His innings provided the foundation for West Indies to successfully chase India’s imposing total and end the ODI series on a high.
Sammy said Hope’s ability to contribute after nearly an entire day on the field made his performance particularly special.
“He was in the field for what, 98.2 overs. He literally took the team on his back today with the bat, like he’s done so many times before,” Sammy was quoted as saying by the ICC. He added that Hope’s decision to open the innings after keeping for 50 overs demonstrated the captain’s commitment to the team.
“The skipper stepping up is not anything new to him, but to keep 50 overs and then put on your pads and go and play an innings like that was special,” Sammy said.
The West Indies head coach also believes Hope has not always received sufficient recognition for his contributions to West Indies cricket. According to Sammy, the captain leads primarily through his performances rather than lengthy speeches.
Sammy highlighted Hope’s calm and decisive approach when the team needed a batter to move up the order. With Jewel Andrew unavailable, Hope accepted the responsibility of opening without hesitation and went on to produce a match-winning innings.
“Somebody had to go up and open, and when I said to him to open, he didn’t say a word. He just put on his pads, went out, and won us the game,” Sammy said.
The coach described Hope as a “class player” and a great individual while underlining the commitment he has shown to West Indies cricket. Hope’s leadership and batting performance have also provided significant encouragement to the Caribbean side as they look ahead to the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
Sammy acknowledged the quality of the Indian team and said the series offered West Indies valuable lessons. Although the team may have to go through the qualifying route for the 2027 World Cup, the coach believes the performances against India demonstrated that West Indies can compete with the world’s leading teams when they maintain consistency.
The batting performance was particularly encouraging for Sammy. He stressed the importance of scoring centuries, building long partnerships and avoiding clusters of wickets. Against India, West Indies demonstrated that approach successfully during their record-breaking chase.
Sammy said the team had entered the series aware of India’s strength but showed that consistent execution over long periods could allow them to match the number one side.
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The coach also pointed out that chasing a large total in India requires confidence and belief. West Indies’ successful pursuit of 352, led by Hope’s unbeaten 162, gave the side an important boost and reinforced the value of batting deep.
Hope’s extraordinary effort therefore stood out not only as a personal milestone but also as a defining moment for West Indies cricket. His ability to keep for the full 50 overs, open the batting and remain unbeaten until the target was achieved underlined the leadership qualities Sammy believes are central to the team’s progress.
