Playing India in their backyard is a challenge, need to grasp and embrace it: West Indies skipper Hope

West Indies cricket team captain Shai Hope during a press conference at Greenfield International Stadium ahead of the first ODI cricket match against West Indies, in Thiruvananthapuram on september 26, 2026. | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran West Indies cricket isn’t exactly going through a great time. It hasn’t, for a long time. But ahead of the ODI series against India, starting here on Sunday (September 26, 2026), the captain expressed hope, and not just because of his name.Captain Shai Hope has expectations of some of the new players and takes heart from individual performances, too. “We see great sparks in different series and from different people,” he said. “It is about repeating that, trying to get those performances for a longer duration, rather than one or two games. We have to try to extend that for two, three, four series. Consistency is the biggest thing for us.”He sees a lot of potential in the young spinner Vitel Lawes. “I expect him to grow as a left-arm spinner for us,” the captain said.Hope is excited to play in India. “Playing India in their backyard, always a challenge, which we definitely need to grasp and embrace,” he said.” Published - September 26, 2026 10:01 pm IST