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West Indies batter Shai Hope produced a masterclass in resilience and skill on Day 4 of the second Test against India in Delhi, scoring a well-compiled 103. Coming in with West Indies following on, Hope stabilized the innings after early setbacks and partnered with centurion John Campbell to put their team back in the contest. His knock, marked by patience and calculated aggression, ended an eight-year wait for a Test century, his first since 2017. The partnership between Hope and Campbell not only revived the innings but also gave West Indies a realistic chance of avoiding an innings defeat. Hope’s composed approach against India’s potent bowling attack highlighted his experience and temperament. His innings was a display of character under pressure and a significant morale boost for the team.
IND vs WI, Delhi Test: Shai Hope and John Campbell script history with twin centuries against India
Shai Hope’s innings was pivotal in the context of West Indies’ second innings, especially after the team had scored just 248 in the first innings following India’s 518/5 declared. Arriving at 35/2, Hope joined forces with Campbell to engineer a 177-run partnership for the third wicket, both scoring centuries, the first time in 14 years that two West Indian batters registered twin hundreds in a Test innings against India. Hope’s 103 came at a measured pace, keeping the bowlers under pressure and rotating strike efficiently. His shot selection was impeccable, mixing crisp drives with delicate placements to pierce the field. This century not only enhanced Hope’s reputation as a pillar of the West Indies middle order but also helped the team avoid an innings defeat, showing that patience and concentration can pay dividends even under immense pressure.
IND vs WI, Delhi Test: Shai Hope’s remarkable return to form after eight years
Hope’s century in Delhi marks his third Test hundred, his first since scoring a pair of centuries against England in Leeds in 2017. This innings highlighted his ability to rebuild an innings under duress and adapt to challenging conditions. Over his career, Hope has played 43 Tests, accumulating over 2,000 runs with three centuries and five half-centuries, demonstrating his importance to West Indies cricket. In Delhi, he anchored the innings, scoring steadily while protecting the lower order from exposure to India’s strike bowlers. Hope’s century came at a crucial juncture when the team could have collapsed, and his experience was evident in handling the pressures of a massive follow-on. Eventually dismissed for 103 by Mohammed Siraj, Hope’s effort will be remembered as a disciplined, mature innings that showcased grit, skill, and leadership under fire.
Here’s how fans reacted:
SHAI HOPE CENTURY
West Indies equal their total number of centuries from the 2023-2025 WTC cycle.
WEST INDIES ARE BACK
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket)
Touch of class about Shai Hope’s batting which isn’t reflected adequately in his stats. The superb century he’s made in this match should go some way in correcting tbis. Well played!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
So happy for shai hope , it was due from him since long long time
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews)
For a career That has seen wild swings in form and performance, Shai Hope has 3 of the best innings of the last 10 years. What a performance this.
— Bejuzb Kptijqvsb (@absurd_random)
Kotla crowd( whatever's there) rises to Shai Hope's renaissance in Test Cricket.
And kids, that's why you worship at the alter of this great game: the respect, the character, the fight. Test match cricket – truly an emblematic of life.— Atul Singh (@tweener_lob)
Very good innings by Shai Hope. Long overdue. This should be a new beginning in Test cricket. Was hard to understand his struggles in this format as he seemed to have the necessary skills and temperament
— Garfield Robinson (@garfieldrob01)
Two West Indies batsmen getting 💯s after a long time. Shai Hope's was better than Campbell's. Did not give a chance to the bowlers and played a clean innings.
— Eswar (@EswarPillai)
Test Century for Shai Hope after 8 Years! He is among the best batters currently. He has been carrying this West Indies Team ever since his debut. He is so Commitment for West Indies. Should be appreciated more. He is already a legend of West Indies In My Opinion
— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel)
Shai Hope should give up the gloves and bat 4 for WI full time
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi)
A Test century after 8 years for Shai Hope 🔥
— bet88visa.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Also READ: IND vs WI: Top 5 West Indies batters to reach their maiden Test hundred with a six ft. John Campbell