IND v WI 2018: West Indies need to put up more consistent performances as a team, says Shai Hope

Windies ensured a confidence-boosting tie in the second ODI against India in Vizag on Wednesday.

Shai Hope plays a shot during his unbeaten 123 against India in the second ODI | AFP

West Indies put up an improved show to ensure a confidence-boosting tie in the second ODI against India in Vizag on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, India rode on skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 157 to post a massive 321/6 on the board. In reply, the Windies were rocked early but rode on Shai Hope's 123 not out and Shimron Hetmyer's 94 to tie the match against India. Windies required 14 from the last over but they scored 13 including a four off the last ball to finish on 321/7.

India continue to lead the five-match series 1-0 thanks to their thumping 8-wicket victory in the first ODI in Guwahati.

Addressing the post-match press conference, centurion Shai Hope said the visitors need to put up more consistent performances as a team in the remainder of the series.

“Definitely, such knocks improve your confidence. You have to gain after every innings. It was a matter of time before I got a big score. (But) we need to be more consistent as a team,” Hope said.

Talking about the last delivery in which he cut Umesh Yadav for a boundary through point to level the score, Hope said: Last ball I knew a wide yorker was coming at the end, and I had to get bat on the ball. I didn’t get enough bat but it was enough.”

West Indies needed a solid platform up front to chase down the target but they didn’t get one as openers Kieran Powell (18) and Chandrapaul Hemraj (32) failed to score big. At one point in time, the visitors were reeling at 78/3 in 12 overs before the duo of Hetmyer and Hope added 143 runs for the fourth wicket to bail the team out of trouble.

Hetmyer (94), however, got out with the visitors still requiring 101 runs in 18 overs.

“There was a change in approach after that (Hetmyer’s dismissal). We needed to take the innings deep,” Hope said.

When asked about the experience of batting with Hetmyer, he said, “It’s pretty different with him, he likes to keep the scoreboard ticking. As long as we take it to the last five overs, we knew we stood a chance.”

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 25 Oct, 2018

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