'Thinking about his 100 and not team' - Fans give mixed reactions on Shai Hope's century at Queen's Park Oval

West Indies’ opening batter Shai Hope scored his 13th ODI century during the first innings of the second ODI against India in Trinidad on Sunday, 24th of July. The elegant opening batter reached the three-figure mark with a magnificent six on his 100th appearance in the 50-over format, which made his innings extra special, and in the process became the 10th batter to score a century in his 100th ODI.

Earlier, West Indian skipper Nicholas Pooran rectified his mistake of bowling first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series and decided to bat first in the second ODI after winning the toss. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as the hosts posted a great total on the board with Hope pitching in with 115 runs.

The West Indian batters were quite severe on Indian pacer Avesh Khan, who was making his ODI debut in the match. The hosts were in a bit of trouble after losing Shamarh Brooks and Brandon King in quick succession, but skipper Nicholas Pooran and his deputy Shai Hope consolidated things with a 117-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The Barbados-born cricketer is often criticized for his slow scoring rate in white-ball cricket, but he has an exceptional record in ODIs, averaging almost 50 in 100 matches for the WI. He holds the key for the hosts as they finished with 311 runs after losing six wickets.

Mohammed Siraj came to the rescue for the Indian team in the first ODI

India managed to win the series opener thrillingly as Dhawan’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs to survive a late scare. The Indian batters got off to a flying start in the first ODI and looked set to post a total in excess of 350, but the hosts pulled things back nicely in the middle overs as the bowlers chipped away at the wickets at regular intervals to restrict the visitors on a par score of 308/7 in their 50 overs.

The hosts almost got over the line thanks to the belligerence of power-hitting all-rounder Romario Shepherd but fell just short in the final over against a barrage of yorkers from Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Shai Hope’s century

Shai Hope's 100 may have cost the West Indies 15-20 runs. #WIvsIND #WIvIND #INDvWI #INDvsWI #Windies

— Mumelelo Mbangwa (Weekend Warrior) (@Bullakhulla2) July 24, 2022

He’s batting like he’s thinking about his hundred and not the team score.

— Zavrzr (@Zavierrzr) July 24, 2022

Well played, Shai Hope – 115 runs from 135 balls in his 100th ODI match – Helped West Indies to go pass 300 runs. pic.twitter.com/FFcXVZXJvs

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 24, 2022

Shai Hope has 60+ average in ODI in overseas. pic.twitter.com/a5lq7IujA3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 24, 2022

Windies are 30 runs short & Shai Hope is to be blamed for it #WIvsIND

— Varun Ramaswamy (@varunramaswamy) July 24, 2022

Over the past five years, only three men have scored 3000 ODI runs.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shai Hope.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) July 24, 2022

Dont think Shai Hope stat-padds. Think he doesn't have that extra gear. Still i think he optimizes his talent well. If others around him dont bat like retards, then he can really be the glue of this batting-unit filled with intent merchants.

— tea_addict 🇮🇳 (@on_drive23) July 24, 2022

There has been some talk on Shai Hope (Nicholas Pooran was even asked at the toss today).

His 115 today will silence some critics.

PS
Best ODI ave in WI history (1000 runs)
49.91 Hope
47 Richards

Best ODI ave among 'keepers (1000 runs)
70.54 de Villiers
50.57 Dhoni
50.09 Hope

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) July 24, 2022

Most runs after 100 ODIs

4808 – Hashim Amla
4309 – Shikhar Dhawan
4217 – David Warner
4193 – Shai Hope*
4177 – G Greenidge
4166 – Quinton de Kock
4164 – Joe Root
4146 – Viv Richards
4107 – Virat Kohli#INDvWI

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) July 24, 2022

Brilliant century for Shai Hope. #ShaiHope #WIvsIND

— Yugal Chambhare🇮🇳 (@iamYugal18) July 24, 2022

Lv from Pakistan a class batsman more power to u shai hope 🙏

— Syed ALI ZEB (@SyedALIZEB2) July 24, 2022