Shai Hope joins MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli in elite list after century against Nepal

A brilliant batting display from Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran earned West Indies an important victory over Nepal in the ongoing ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe on Thursday (June 22).

The Caribbean player scored 132 runs off just 129 balls against Nepal. His scintillating knock comprised of 10 fours and 3 sixes, as the Windies posted a total of 339 for 7 at the end of their 50 overs. Nicholas Pooran also scored a 115 off just 94 balls.

But Shai Hope, who scored his 15th ODI century on Thursday, has managed to get his name among some of the stalwarts of the game.

“Superb! A run machine,” exclaimed West Indies legend and commentator Ian Bishop, whereas former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower mentioned his conversion rate from the fifties to hundred as sensational. Hope has scored 50+ scores 37 times in ODI cricket, and out of them, 22 have been centuries.

123* vs IND.
102* vs IND.
115 vs IND.
146* vs BAN.
108* vs BAN.
109 vs BAN.
115 vs SL.
110 vs SL.
109* vs AFG.
170 vs IRE.
119* vs NED.
127 vs PAK.
128* vs SA.
101 vs ZIM.
132 vs NEP.

Shai Hope leading by example, one of the best from West Indies in this generation in ODI. pic.twitter.com/yjSTsHGk50

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 22, 2023

Shai Hope joins Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni is elite list

But apart from his centuries, Hope has got his name alongside MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and some other greats with another humongous achievement.

With the century against Nepal, Hope’s ODI batting average has crept up to 50.26, which means the Barbados-born player is among the six players who have 50+ ODI batting averages after playing at least 100 innings.

Former India captain MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli are on the list, and so are Joe Root, Michael Bevan and AB de Villiers.

Batters with 50+ averages in ODI Cricket (minimum 100 innings)

All Stats are as of June 22, 2023. Players in bold are still active in international cricket.