West Indies batsman Shai Hope’s outstanding batting performance during the T20I series, which ended on October 17, 2026, was recognised by India skipper Shreyas Iyer. Rain limited the final game in Bengaluru to just 7.4 overs per side, but both teams finished the five-match series with two wins apiece. Hope won Player of the Series because of his steady run-scoring throughout the series.
Hope scored 204 runs in 95 balls throughout the course of two games, totalling 261 runs in four innings. Sherfane Rutherford was not far behind, scoring 49 not out off 26 balls in the second West Indies victory and 84 off 37 balls in the first.
Hope led the West Indies to their most successful T20I chase with a total of 252 for 4 while chasing 249 in the second T20I at Ranchi on October 9. Hope scored 102 not out off 45 balls. On October 14, four days later, at Hyderabad, he smashed an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, including four fours and nine sixes, as the West Indies scored 247 for 3 to overcome India by 24 runs.
Cricinfo quotes Shreyas Iyer said, “Well, it could have definitely been different if we had bowled well in the second and the fourth game [the games India lost]. Obviously, batting has been sensational throughout. It’s just about that execution which we were falling short. But credit where it’s due. They batted phenomenally well and also Shai Hope, brilliant performance by him, the way he was cruising through in the series. It was difficult at times but kudos to him.”
With 278 runs in three innings, including an undefeated 162 in 143 in the West Indies’ lone victory in the previous ODI series, Hope—who was voted Player of the Series—was the main attraction for the West Indies.
Hope said, “We were very close. It’s something that we haven’t done in so many years. To get this far in the series, give ourselves a good chance, it obviously shows what we’re doing as a unit. We’re certainly progressing. The success doesn’t necessarily have to be series wins. But to see the way all the guys have been progressing as a team is very commendable.”
He added, “You still have to have that self-belief. Honestly, whenever I cross the line, even if I haven’t got any runs in the last two, three, four, five innings, I still believe that I can get the job done. I think that’s what kind of keeps me going, keeps me grounded as well, knowing that even if I do score a hundred or I get a big score, in the next game I still have to start from scratch.”
Iyer added, “I just keep telling him, you’ll get your opportunity. There are two batters [Samson and Abhishek] who have won the [T20] World Cup for you and they have been consistent with the run-scoring as well. So if you are consistent with your processes and your mindset is a bit light – not think too much about getting an opportunity right now. I know what must be going on in his mind, especially after a phenomenal IPL season. But you have to wait sometimes and we’ve got two fantastic openers who have been consistent throughout”
